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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 116 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. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  9. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. rock — a stone
  5. scale — size or range
  6. board — to get on
  7. can — to be able to
  8. scale — for weighing
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. can — a tin
  13. mate — a partner
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. mate — a friend
  16. board — a committee
  17. current — happening now
  18. can — a tin
  19. mate — to breed
  20. current — electric
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. current — of water
  23. scale — in music
  24. rock — music

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