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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: leaves · wake · cell · cabinet · mark · key · rock · nail

  1. He was locked up in a ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  10. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. cell — in a prison
  2. rock — a stone
  3. key — the most important part
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. mark — a grade
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. wake — before a funeral
  10. cell — in biology
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. cell — a phone
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. key — for a lock
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. rock — music
  21. mark — a trace
  22. key — in music
  23. wake — a trail
  24. nail — for a hammer

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