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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 works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  8. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  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. firm — a company
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. snap — to snap out of it
  4. rush — hurry
  5. key — in music
  6. pass — a permit
  7. snap — to speak sharply
  8. snap — to click
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. charge — a price
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. bass — low music
  13. firm — decided
  14. charge — electricity
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. bass — the fish
  17. firm — steady
  18. key — for a lock
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. charge — in control
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. lie — to recline
  24. key — the most important part

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