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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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. bank — for money
  4. saw — the tool
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. hand — help
  7. key — the most important part
  8. bank — for money
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. key — for a lock
  11. key — in music
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. hand — in cards
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. fine — high quality
  19. fine — all right
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. bank — of a river
  23. saw — the tool
  24. hand — part of the body

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