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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. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. firm — a company
  3. key — in music
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. mark — a grade
  7. fine — all right
  8. fine — high quality
  9. rock — a stone
  10. mark — a trace
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. sharp — with an edge
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rock — music
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. sharp — clever
  19. toast — bread
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. key — the most important part
  22. key — for a lock
  23. firm — steady
  24. mark — to pay attention

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