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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 116 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.

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: leaves · wax · lie · bank · pop · wake · key · ruler

  1. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  8. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  9. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. pop — soda
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. bank — for money
  6. key — the most important part
  7. wake — before a funeral
  8. pop — music
  9. wake — to stop sleeping
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. key — for a lock
  12. wax — in the ear
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. bank — of a river
  15. lie — to recline
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. wake — a trail
  19. wax — to grow
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. bank — for money
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. key — in music
  24. pop — to visit

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