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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 · temple · key · board · cue · craft · mouse · season

  1. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. Did you ________________ the meat?
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. season — to add flavour
  3. board — a committee
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. cue — a signal
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. craft — a skill
  11. key — the most important part
  12. key — for a lock
  13. key — in music
  14. craft — a handicraft
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. season — of the year
  17. season — in sport
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. cue — for pool
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. cue — a hint
  24. craft — boats

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