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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. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. track — a path
  3. bank — for money
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. firm — steady
  6. pass — a permit
  7. track — a song
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. key — the most important part
  10. bank — of a river
  11. firm — a company
  12. bat — the animal
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. bank — for money
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. firm — decided
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. bat — in an idiom
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. key — in music
  23. track — to keep track
  24. bat — for baseball

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