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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: deal · suit · wave · spell · face · key · rock · season

  1. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  5. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. face — to confront
  5. spell — a short time
  6. rock — a stone
  7. wave — with your hand
  8. season — of the year
  9. face — to point toward
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. deal — to handle
  12. suit — in cards
  13. season — in sport
  14. key — for a lock
  15. suit — to fit
  16. rock — music
  17. face — part of the head
  18. key — in music
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. spell — letters
  21. suit — clothes
  22. key — the most important part
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. rock — to move gently

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