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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 116 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. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. key — in music
  5. plane — a tool
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. bulb — for light
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. key — the most important part
  11. bulb — for light
  12. season — in sport
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. key — for a lock
  15. season — of the year
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. board — a committee
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. deal — to handle
  24. coach — a trainer

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