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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: suit · stick · leaves · season · toast · object · racket · craft

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  21. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. toast — bread
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. craft — a handicraft
  8. object — to protest
  9. season — in sport
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. craft — boats
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. suit — in cards
  19. suit — to fit
  20. craft — a skill
  21. object — an aim
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. season — of the year
  24. suit — clothes

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