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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. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. cap — a hat
  3. fine — high quality
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. season — in sport
  6. cap — a lid
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. cap — of ice
  10. rock — music
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. season — of the year
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. pit — in a race
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. pit — a hole
  17. rock — a stone
  18. ball — a dance
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. ball — a great time
  24. fine — all right

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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