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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. suit — clothes
  3. key — the most important part
  4. field — a subject
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. key — for a lock
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. field — for sport
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. ball — a great time
  11. suit — to fit
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. field — farmland
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. ball — a dance
  16. key — in music
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. lie — to recline
  20. suit — in cards
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. safe — out of danger

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