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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: can · cabinet · pass · lean · bay · rash · safe · key

  1. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. lean — to rest against
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. can — a tin
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. key — in music
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. can — a tin
  9. rash — a series
  10. pass — a permit
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. rash — hasty
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. lean — to bend
  18. key — for a lock
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. lean — thin
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. key — the most important part
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. can — to be able to

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