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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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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: board · lash · toast · tube · firm · safe · key · nail

  1. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. toast — the most admired
  2. key — the most important part
  3. firm — steady
  4. firm — a company
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. board — to get on
  9. tube — a container
  10. board — a committee
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. firm — decided
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. tube — the underground
  20. key — in music
  21. key — for a lock
  22. toast — bread
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. safe — out of danger

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