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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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. ball — a dance
  4. bound — obliged
  5. roll — a list
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. vault — in gymnastics
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. mug — to rob
  10. roll — a cake
  11. mark — a trace
  12. vault — an arched ceiling
  13. key — the most important part
  14. vault — a safe
  15. mug — a face
  16. key — in music
  17. key — for a lock
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. bound — certain
  21. mark — a grade
  22. bound — tied together
  23. mug — a cup
  24. ball — a great time

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