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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: fine · pit · branch · sharp · deal · key · mark · safe

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. pit — a hole
  3. deal — to handle
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. fine — high quality
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. key — for a lock
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. branch — a division
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. mark — a trace
  13. sharp — clever
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. mark — a grade
  21. fine — all right
  22. key — in music
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. key — the most important part

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