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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: safe · saw · cabinet · key · ball · fine

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. key — for a lock
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. ball — a great time
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. saw — the tool
  8. ball — a dance
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. fine — high quality
  12. key — the most important part
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. saw — the tool
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. fine — all right
  18. key — in music

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