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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  6. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. craft — a handicraft
  6. craft — boats
  7. board — a committee
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. season — of the year
  10. fine — all right
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. board — to get on
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. season — in sport
  19. craft — a skill
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. toast — bread
  22. fine — high quality
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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