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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 need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  22. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. key — for a lock
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. rule — government
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. shower — to wash
  10. fine — high quality
  11. rule — a law
  12. rush — hurry
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. fine — all right
  16. shower — rain
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. key — the most important part
  19. key — in music
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. rule — to rule out
  22. shower — a meteor shower
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. rush — to hurry

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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