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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 120 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. bore — to drill
  3. charge — a price
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. key — the most important part
  7. rush — hurry
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. bore — to tire
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. lie — to recline
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. ball — a great time
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. key — for a lock
  17. charge — electricity
  18. charge — in control
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. ball — a dance
  24. lie — an untruth

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com