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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: lean · band · season · spell · ruler · key · bay · safe

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  7. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. spell — a short time
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. band — a ring
  7. band — a rubber band
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. season — of the year
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. spell — magic
  13. key — for a lock
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. spell — letters
  17. season — in sport
  18. key — in music
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. band — a music group
  21. lean — to bend
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. lean — thin
  24. key — the most important part

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