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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. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  2. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  3. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  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. bass — low music
  2. craft — boats
  3. craft — a handicraft
  4. saw — the tool
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. bass — the fish
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. bore — to tire
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. saw — the tool
  18. craft — a skill
  19. bore — to drill
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. board — a committee
  22. stand — to bear
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. board — to get on

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