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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.

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: pop · temple · cap · stand · calf · fine · key · board

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. You don't need to ________________ round.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. board — a committee
  3. cap — a lid
  4. pop — music
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. cap — a hat
  7. key — the most important part
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. board — to get on
  10. pop — to visit
  11. key — for a lock
  12. key — in music
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. pop — soda
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. cap — of ice
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. fine — all right
  21. stand — to bear
  22. fine — high quality
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. calf — a young animal

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