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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. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  20. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. mark — a trace
  3. mug — a cup
  4. fork — a garden tool
  5. mark — a grade
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. mug — a face
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. board — to get on
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. bore — to tire
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. bore — to drill
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. mug — to rob
  19. fork — in a road
  20. fork — to eat with
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. board — a committee
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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