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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. My father caught me by the ________________.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  16. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  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. arm — a part of something
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. current — happening now
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. board — a committee
  10. rock — music
  11. current — electric
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. rock — a stone
  14. current — of water
  15. fork — to eat with
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. fork — a garden tool
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. fork — in a road
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. hide — to keep secret
  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