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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: bound · current · lie · content · key · staff · stick · safe

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. key — for a lock
  3. bound — tied together
  4. staff — a stick
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. lie — to recline
  8. bound — obliged
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. key — the most important part
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. current — electric
  13. key — in music
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. content — videos and posts
  18. staff — employees
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. staff — employees
  21. content — happy
  22. current — happening now
  23. content — the amount
  24. bound — certain

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