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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: row · rock · key · mug · leaves · safe · dip · sharp

  1. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. It's one o'clock ________________.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. row — a quarrel
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. key — in music
  6. mug — a face
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. row — to paddle
  9. key — the most important part
  10. sharp — exactly
  11. mug — to rob
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. rock — a stone
  14. dip — to sink
  15. mug — a cup
  16. rock — music
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. sharp — clever
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. row — a line
  24. key — for a lock

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