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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 116 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
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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: spring · safe · rush · craft · staff · bay · key · sharp

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. It's one o'clock ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  15. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. spring — the season
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. craft — a handicraft
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. sharp — clever
  10. rush — hurry
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. sharp — exactly
  13. key — the most important part
  14. spring — of water
  15. sharp — with an edge
  16. craft — a skill
  17. key — for a lock
  18. staff — employees
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. staff — a stick
  21. craft — boats
  22. staff — employees
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. spring — a coil

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