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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 116 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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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: coach · key · deal · nail · mate · leaves · fine · bound

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. bound — tied together
  3. key — the most important part
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. key — for a lock
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. mate — a friend
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. key — in music
  13. bound — obliged
  14. fine — all right
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. mate — a partner
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. fine — high quality
  20. bound — certain
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. mate — to breed

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