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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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. pass — a permit
  3. mug — to rob
  4. key — for a lock
  5. charge — a price
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. vault — an arched ceiling
  8. mug — a cup
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. can — a tin
  13. key — in music
  14. key — the most important part
  15. charge — in control
  16. can — a tin
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. can — to be able to
  20. charge — electricity
  21. vault — a safe
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. mug — a face
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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