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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.

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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: squash · mug · fork · safe · tube · key · ball · track

  1. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. squash — the vegetable
  3. key — in music
  4. mug — a face
  5. fork — in a road
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. tube — the underground
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. squash — the sport
  12. squash — to crush
  13. mug — to rob
  14. ball — a great time
  15. fork — a garden tool
  16. key — for a lock
  17. mug — a cup
  18. tube — a container
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. key — the most important part
  21. track — a song
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. track — to keep track
  24. track — a path

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