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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.

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: can · key · leaves · pitcher · scale · mug · bore · temple

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. key — in music
  3. can — to be able to
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. mug — a cup
  7. bore — to tire
  8. can — a tin
  9. bore — to drill
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. scale — size or range
  12. can — a tin
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. key — for a lock
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. key — the most important part
  20. mug — to rob
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. scale — in music
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. mug — a face

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