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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: key · kid · can · mouse · rock · bark · plane · staff

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  18. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  19. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. key — the most important part
  3. can — to be able to
  4. rock — a stone
  5. rock — music
  6. key — in music
  7. bark — to shout
  8. staff — employees
  9. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  10. can — a tin
  11. staff — employees
  12. can — a tin
  13. bark — of a tree
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. plane — a tool
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. kid — to tease
  18. bark — a dog's sound
  19. kid — child
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. key — for a lock
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. staff — a stick
  24. mouse — the animal

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