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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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. bound — tied together
  3. key — for a lock
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. bound — certain
  6. saw — the tool
  7. saw — the tool
  8. row — to paddle
  9. bound — obliged
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. row — a line
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. row — a quarrel
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. dip — to sink
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. key — the most important part
  21. bulb — for light
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. bulb — for light
  24. ruler — a monarch

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