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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. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. chest — of your body
  2. key — the most important part
  3. suit — clothes
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. chest — of your body
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. cue — a signal
  10. cue — a hint
  11. suit — in cards
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. suit — to fit
  14. chest — a box
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. cue — for pool
  21. key — in music
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. key — for a lock
  24. temple — side of the head

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