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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.

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: foot · key · stick · bound · racket · spell · can · hide

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. bound — tied together
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. key — for a lock
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. foot — a measure
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. bound — obliged
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. can — a tin
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. can — a tin
  15. spell — magic
  16. can — to be able to
  17. key — the most important part
  18. spell — letters
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. key — in music
  23. spell — a short time
  24. racket — a loud noise

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