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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. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. pass — a permit
  5. suit — to fit
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. key — in music
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. key — the most important part
  12. perch — the fish
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. foot — a measure
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. key — for a lock
  22. suit — clothes
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. suit — in cards

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