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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. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  2. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  16. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. band — a music group
  2. tear — to rip
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. season — in sport
  6. mark — a grade
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. band — a ring
  9. key — for a lock
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. season — of the year
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. tear — from crying
  16. band — a rubber band
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. tear — from crying
  20. key — in music
  21. key — the most important part
  22. mark — a trace
  23. toast — bread
  24. safe — a strongbox

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