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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: current · mark · key · racket · bore · lie · bay · fine

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. key — the most important part
  3. mark — a grade
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. bore — to drill
  7. fine — high quality
  8. current — electric
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. current — of water
  11. lie — to recline
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. fine — all right
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. key — for a lock
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. racket — a loud noise
  21. key — in music
  22. bore — to tire
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. mark — a trace

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