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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. Have you settled on a ________________?
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. charge — a price
  3. board — to get on
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. bound — tied together
  7. staff — employees
  8. charge — electricity
  9. staff — employees
  10. bound — obliged
  11. board — a committee
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. bound — certain
  14. bore — to drill
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. staff — a stick
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. lie — to recline
  19. date — the fruit
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. bore — to tire
  24. lie — an untruth

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