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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. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. fork — in a road
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. plane — a tool
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. mug — to rob
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. season — in sport
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. mug — a cup
  13. saw — the tool
  14. fork — a garden tool
  15. toast — bread
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. season — of the year
  18. fork — to eat with
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. mug — a face
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. saw — the tool
  24. board — to get on

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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