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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.

Make a worksheet

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 thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. band — a ring
  3. board — a committee
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. band — a rubber band
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. key — in music
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. board — to get on
  14. ball — a dance
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. key — the most important part
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. band — a music group
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. key — for a lock
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. ball — a great time

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