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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.

Make a worksheet

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: bowl · ruler · leaves · bass · band · spring · key · pass

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  9. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  15. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. key — in music
  3. key — the most important part
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. bass — the fish
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. spring — of water
  9. spring — the season
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. band — a rubber band
  15. spring — a coil
  16. bass — low music
  17. key — for a lock
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. band — a music group
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. band — a ring
  23. pass — a permit
  24. bowl — to roll

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