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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 124 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.

Make a worksheet

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

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  23. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. key — for a lock
  3. can — to be able to
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. chair — to sit on
  6. mark — a grade
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. key — in music
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. can — a tin
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. key — the most important part
  14. mine — an explosive
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. lie — to recline
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. chair — a professorship
  19. can — a tin
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. mine — for digging
  23. chair — a leader
  24. coach — a trainer

Multiple-meaning words list

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

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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