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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
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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: deal · calf · key · coach · can · rest · face · rash

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. rest — what's left
  3. can — a tin
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. face — to point toward
  6. face — to confront
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. can — to be able to
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. key — in music
  11. can — a tin
  12. key — for a lock
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. key — the most important part
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. face — part of the head
  17. rest — a break
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. rash — hasty
  21. rest — what's left
  22. rash — a series
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. deal — a big deal

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