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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: lie · nail · rock · key · ground · toast · temple · chip

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. There's no middle ________________.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. toast — bread
  3. key — the most important part
  4. ground — the earth
  5. chip — to eat
  6. key — in music
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. key — for a lock
  10. chip — in a computer
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. rock — a stone
  14. lie — to recline
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. ground — crushed
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. rock — music
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. ground — a position
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. chip — for betting

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