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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.

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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. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. My mare is ________________ in color.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  8. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. bay — a horse colour
  3. toast — bread
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. wax — in the ear
  8. wax — to grow
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. key — the most important part
  21. key — for a lock
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. key — in music

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