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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 116 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: lie · nail · key · deal · current · safe · perch · fall

  1. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. key — in music
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. lie — to recline
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. current — of water
  11. fall — the season
  12. current — happening now
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. current — electric
  16. perch — the fish
  17. key — for a lock
  18. fall — to drop
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. fall — to drop
  23. deal — to handle
  24. perch — for a bird

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