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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 120 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: squash · snap · key · cabinet · mug · staff · fan · racket

  1. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  2. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. snap — to snap out of it
  2. squash — to crush
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. staff — a stick
  5. staff — employees
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. snap — to speak sharply
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. mug — a cup
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. snap — to click
  13. mug — to rob
  14. key — the most important part
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. racket — a loud noise
  18. key — for a lock
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. mug — a face
  21. key — in music
  22. staff — employees
  23. squash — the sport
  24. racket — for tennis

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