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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. David sat on the ________________.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. swing — in golf
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. key — for a lock
  12. swing — music
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. stand — to bear
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. key — in music
  20. rash — a series
  21. key — the most important part
  22. swing — to play on
  23. rash — hasty
  24. leaves — to go away

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