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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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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. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. current — happening now
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. mark — a grade
  8. bear — the animal
  9. mark — a trace
  10. racket — a loud noise
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. current — of water
  13. bear — the animal
  14. ball — a great time
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. lie — to recline
  18. key — the most important part
  19. current — electric
  20. ball — a dance
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. key — in music
  24. lie — an untruth

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