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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 116 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. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. key — in music
  4. key — the most important part
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. plane — a tool
  7. fine — high quality
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. can — a tin
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. key — for a lock
  15. fine — all right
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. can — a tin
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. pass — a permit
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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