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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: toast · plane · safe · rush · mark · key · mate · cap

  1. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. Have you found your soul ________________?
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — a drink to someone
  2. toast — bread
  3. key — in music
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. mark — a trace
  6. mate — a partner
  7. cap — a hat
  8. cap — of ice
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. mate — a friend
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. key — the most important part
  17. mark — a grade
  18. key — for a lock
  19. mate — to breed
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. cap — a lid
  22. plane — a tool
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. rush — hurry

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