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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.

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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: key · leaves · deal · board · present · perch · vault · bear

  1. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?

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

Answer key

  1. bear — to put up with
  2. key — for a lock
  3. deal — to handle
  4. vault — in gymnastics
  5. present — the time now
  6. vault — a safe
  7. perch — the fish
  8. present — there
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. vault — an arched ceiling
  11. key — in music
  12. board — to get on
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. bear — the animal
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. board — a committee
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. key — the most important part
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. bear — the animal
  24. present — a gift

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