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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 116 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. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. There's no middle ________________.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. suit — clothes
  3. ground — crushed
  4. charge — in control
  5. charge — electricity
  6. key — for a lock
  7. charge — a price
  8. drill — a practice
  9. pass — a permit
  10. drill — the tool
  11. ground — a position
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. key — in music
  14. key — the most important part
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. deal — to handle
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. suit — to fit
  21. ground — the earth
  22. suit — in cards
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. ruler — for measuring

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