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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: leaves · key · field · toast · rash · ruler · swing · bound

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  11. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  12. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. David sat on the ________________.
  23. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  24. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. bound — tied together
  7. bound — obliged
  8. rash — a series
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. swing — music
  11. field — for sport
  12. field — a subject
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. key — in music
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. bound — certain
  17. key — the most important part
  18. rash — hasty
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. toast — bread
  21. key — for a lock
  22. swing — to play on
  23. field — farmland
  24. swing — in golf

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