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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. charge — in control
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. wave — with your hand
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. key — in music
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. march — music
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. march — the month
  13. lie — to recline
  14. charge — a price
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. key — for a lock
  17. key — the most important part
  18. bear — the animal
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. march — the month
  22. bear — the animal
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. charge — electricity

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