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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. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. cue — a signal
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. spell — magic
  5. can — a tin
  6. tear — from crying
  7. rock — a stone
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. cue — for pool
  11. fine — all right
  12. spell — letters
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. key — for a lock
  15. tear — from crying
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. rock — music
  18. key — in music
  19. key — the most important part
  20. fine — high quality
  21. can — a tin
  22. cue — a hint
  23. tear — to rip
  24. can — to be able to

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