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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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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: pitch · ruler · face · safe · mark · lie · cabinet · key

  1. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  9. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. The players ran onto the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. face — part of the head
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. key — the most important part
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pitch — completely
  6. lie — to recline
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. pitch — a sales talk
  9. face — to point toward
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. key — in music
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. mark — a grade
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. key — for a lock
  19. mark — a trace
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. face — to confront
  24. pitch — a sports field

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