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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.

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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: key · nail · mark · press · drill · sharp · mug · safe

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. key — the most important part
  5. mark — a trace
  6. drill — a practice
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. mug — a cup
  9. mug — to rob
  10. mark — a grade
  11. press — a publisher
  12. key — for a lock
  13. drill — army training
  14. sharp — clever
  15. mug — a face
  16. drill — the tool
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. press — to push
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. key — in music

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