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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. She's very handy with a ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. can — a tin
  3. saw — the tool
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. can — a tin
  6. season — of the year
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. fine — all right
  11. key — the most important part
  12. roll — a list
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. roll — a cake
  16. trunk — of an elephant
  17. season — in sport
  18. key — in music
  19. fine — high quality
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. trunk — of a tree
  22. can — to be able to
  23. key — for a lock
  24. trunk — of a car

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