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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. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  8. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — a hole
  2. suit — to fit
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. suit — clothes
  7. race — the arms race
  8. race — a contest
  9. board — a committee
  10. key — in music
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. key — for a lock
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. pit — in a race
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. race — humankind
  17. board — to get on
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. bore — to tire
  20. key — the most important part
  21. bore — to drill
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. suit — in cards
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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