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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: hide · key · root · suit · capital · stand · leaves · nail

  1. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. key — in music
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. capital — a big letter
  5. suit — clothes
  6. capital — a city
  7. key — for a lock
  8. suit — to fit
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. root — of a plant
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. capital — money
  14. suit — in cards
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. stand — to bear
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. root — the cause
  23. root — of a word
  24. leaves — of a tree

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