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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 120 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: safe · key · leaves · dip · bowl · hide · lean · object

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. bowl — a dish
  3. object — an aim
  4. key — for a lock
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. dip — to sink
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. key — the most important part
  10. object — a thing
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. lean — to rest against
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. key — in music
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. lean — thin
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. object — to protest
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. lean — to bend

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