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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
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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: game · kick · key · rest · mug · toast · lie · press

  1. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. That was a fun ________________.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. kick — in football
  3. press — to push
  4. press — newspapers
  5. rest — what's left
  6. rest — a break
  7. kick — with a leg
  8. mug — a face
  9. game — a match
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. rest — what's left
  12. lie — to recline
  13. mug — a cup
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. game — wild animals
  16. mug — to rob
  17. key — in music
  18. kick — a thrill
  19. toast — bread
  20. press — a publisher
  21. game — a kind of play
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. key — for a lock
  24. lie — an untruth

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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