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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: lie · arm · craft · squash · scale · key · charge · mug

  1. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. My father caught me by the ________________.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  23. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. key — in music
  3. mug — to rob
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. lie — to recline
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. key — the most important part
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. mug — a face
  10. charge — in control
  11. charge — a price
  12. scale — for weighing
  13. squash — to crush
  14. scale — in music
  15. key — for a lock
  16. scale — size or range
  17. craft — a skill
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. charge — electricity
  22. craft — boats
  23. squash — the sport
  24. mug — a cup

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