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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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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. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. key — the most important part
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. season — in sport
  8. key — for a lock
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. lie — to recline
  11. season — of the year
  12. stick — to attach or keep to
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. object — a thing
  19. object — an aim
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. key — in music
  24. object — to protest

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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