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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: object · season · leaves · bear · scale · pitcher · coach · safe

  1. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. season — in sport
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. scale — for weighing
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. object — an aim
  7. season — of the year
  8. scale — in music
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. object — a thing
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. bear — the animal
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. object — to protest
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. bear — the animal

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