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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. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  16. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. tear — from crying
  2. drill — the tool
  3. tear — to rip
  4. root — of a word
  5. key — for a lock
  6. key — in music
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. root — of a plant
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. fine — all right
  12. mark — a trace
  13. tear — from crying
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. drill — a practice
  16. drill — army training
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. key — the most important part
  19. mark — a grade
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. root — the cause
  23. toast — bread
  24. fine — high quality

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