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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: spring · pass · cue · lash · key · fan · saw · bay

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  20. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. key — the most important part
  3. saw — the tool
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. cue — for pool
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. key — for a lock
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. spring — the season
  13. cue — a hint
  14. pass — a permit
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. spring — a coil
  20. spring — of water
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. cue — a signal
  23. saw — the tool
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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