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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: key · bass · squash · bulb · temple · bay · roll · lie

  1. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the sport
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. bulb — for light
  4. roll — a list
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. bass — the fish
  7. key — in music
  8. bass — low music
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. squash — to crush
  13. roll — a cake
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. lie — to recline
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. squash — the vegetable
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. key — for a lock
  22. bulb — for light
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. key — the most important part

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