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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. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. False peace will not ________________.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. bass — the instrument
  3. current — electric
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. key — in music
  8. current — happening now
  9. rash — hasty
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. key — the most important part
  12. last — finally
  13. snap — to click
  14. last — final
  15. key — for a lock
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. current — of water
  18. bass — the fish
  19. last — to go on
  20. lie — to recline
  21. snap — to snap out of it
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. bass — low music
  24. temple — a place of worship

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