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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: fine · key · cabinet · pass · drill · mouse · can · racket

  1. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  15. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. key — for a lock
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. can — a tin
  7. drill — a practice
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. can — to be able to
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. drill — army training
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. key — in music
  18. key — the most important part
  19. fine — high quality
  20. can — a tin
  21. pass — a permit
  22. drill — the tool
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. racket — for tennis

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