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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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. There's no middle ________________.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  16. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  17. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. lie — to recline
  7. suit — clothes
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. ground — a position
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. board — to get on
  15. ground — the earth
  16. fork — to eat with
  17. fork — in a road
  18. stand — to bear
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. board — a committee
  21. ground — crushed
  22. suit — in cards
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. suit — to fit

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