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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. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. board — to get on
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. root — the cause
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. pass — a permit
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. rush — hurry
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. branch — a division
  20. root — of a plant
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. root — of a word

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