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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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. bank — for money
  3. fine — all right
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. bank — of a river
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. bank — for money
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. season — in sport
  10. track — a path
  11. season — of the year
  12. bulb — for light
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. track — a song
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. fine — high quality
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. toast — bread
  21. track — to keep track
  22. key — the most important part
  23. key — for a lock
  24. bulb — for light

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