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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 116 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. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  4. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  5. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  6. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  7. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. shower — rain
  3. march — the month
  4. march — music
  5. firm — decided
  6. shower — a meteor shower
  7. file — a document
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. file — a line of people
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. firm — steady
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. shower — to wash
  15. pit — a hole
  16. march — the month
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. file — a tool
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. key — for a lock
  22. firm — a company
  23. pit — in a race
  24. key — the most important part

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