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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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: key · mug · ruler · pass · staff · wave · can · lie

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. can — to be able to
  4. mug — a cup
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. can — a tin
  7. wave — with your hand
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. staff — employees
  10. staff — employees
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. lie — to recline
  13. pass — a permit
  14. key — the most important part
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. staff — a stick
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. key — in music
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. mug — to rob
  23. key — for a lock
  24. can — a tin

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