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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: object · chip · toast · suit · squash · scale · lie · key

  1. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. There's a computer ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — to crush
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. scale — in music
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. object — to protest
  6. squash — the vegetable
  7. lie — to recline
  8. suit — clothes
  9. chip — for betting
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. object — a thing
  12. toast — bread
  13. chip — to eat
  14. key — the most important part
  15. object — an aim
  16. key — in music
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. key — for a lock
  19. suit — to fit
  20. squash — the sport
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. suit — in cards
  23. scale — size or range
  24. chip — in a computer

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