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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. rock — a stone
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. drill — the tool
  5. drill — a practice
  6. suit — in cards
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. suit — clothes
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. season — of the year
  14. net — for catching
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. net — in sport
  17. board — to get on
  18. rock — music
  19. board — a committee
  20. net — after costs
  21. suit — to fit
  22. drill — army training
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. season — in sport

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