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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 120 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. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. net — for catching
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. stand — to bear
  8. key — for a lock
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. net — in sport
  13. key — the most important part
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. mate — to breed
  16. net — after costs
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. key — in music
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. mate — a partner
  23. mate — a friend
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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