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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. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  20. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. wave — of the sea
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. key — the most important part
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. key — in music
  16. dip — to sink
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. face — to confront
  20. face — part of the head
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. key — for a lock
  24. toast — bread

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