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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: ruler · hide · key · toast · leaves · staff · land · coach

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. When are we going to ________________?
  10. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. hide — animal skin
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. staff — employees
  7. staff — employees
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. land — to come down
  10. land — a country
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. staff — a stick
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. key — for a lock
  20. key — in music
  21. toast — bread
  22. land — ground
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. key — the most important part

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