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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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: fork · ball · key · leaves · stand · bound · root · rash

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. bound — tied together
  3. fork — in a road
  4. key — the most important part
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. bound — certain
  7. fork — a garden tool
  8. root — the cause
  9. ball — a dance
  10. fork — to eat with
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. key — in music
  13. ball — a great time
  14. rash — hasty
  15. rash — a series
  16. bound — obliged
  17. root — of a word
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. stand — to bear
  21. key — for a lock
  22. root — of a plant
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. ball — a round shape

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