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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 ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  19. Have you settled on a ________________?
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. There's no middle ________________.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. date — the fruit
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. key — for a lock
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. season — of the year
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. bank — for money
  11. key — the most important part
  12. ground — crushed
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. bank — of a river
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. date — on the calendar
  20. season — in sport
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. ground — a position
  23. bank — for money
  24. key — in music

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