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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.

Make a worksheet

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: nail · mug · mate · mine · mouse · safe · key · squash

  1. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  2. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  24. She's sitting on a gold ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a friend
  2. mine — belonging to me
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. mug — a face
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. key — in music
  7. mug — a cup
  8. key — the most important part
  9. mate — to breed
  10. mate — a partner
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. squash — to crush
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. mug — to rob
  19. mine — an explosive
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. key — for a lock
  23. squash — the sport
  24. mine — for digging

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