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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. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. bowl — to roll
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. key — for a lock
  4. charge — in control
  5. straw — to clutch at straws
  6. ball — a dance
  7. key — the most important part
  8. straw — a straw man
  9. ball — a great time
  10. bore — to drill
  11. bore — to tire
  12. key — in music
  13. straw — dry grass
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. deal — to handle
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. charge — a price
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. lie — to recline
  24. charge — electricity

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