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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. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  7. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. club — a group
  2. rock — a stone
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. key — in music
  5. rock — music
  6. club — for dancing
  7. deal — a big deal
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. firm — steady
  10. key — the most important part
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. plane — a tool
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. ball — a great time
  15. deal — to handle
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. firm — decided
  18. club — for golf
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. key — for a lock
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. ball — a dance
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. firm — a company

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