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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.

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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: bulb · board · key · lie · wake · plane · track · temple

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. track — to keep track
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. wake — before a funeral
  7. bulb — for light
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. board — a committee
  10. wake — a trail
  11. bulb — for light
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. plane — a tool
  14. key — for a lock
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. key — the most important part
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. board — to get on
  19. track — a song
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. key — in music
  23. lie — to recline
  24. lie — an untruth

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