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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.

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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. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  18. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. board — a committee
  4. rock — a stone
  5. key — in music
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. wound — an injury
  12. tube — a container
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. board — to get on
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. wound — an injury
  18. wound — past of 'wind'
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. stand — to bear
  21. rock — music
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. tube — the underground
  24. key — for a lock

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