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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: fine · mine · deal · rash · safe · wound · key · bark

  1. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  5. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  6. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  17. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. She's sitting on a gold ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — past of 'wind'
  2. rash — a series
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. mine — an explosive
  5. bark — a dog's sound
  6. bark — of a tree
  7. key — the most important part
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. deal — to handle
  10. wound — an injury
  11. rash — hasty
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. key — for a lock
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. bark — to shout
  17. wound — an injury
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. fine — all right
  20. fine — high quality
  21. key — in music
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. mine — for digging

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