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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. mark — a grade
  3. board — to get on
  4. charge — in control
  5. bound — tied together
  6. rock — music
  7. rush — hurry
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. board — a committee
  10. mark — a trace
  11. prune — to trim
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. prune — to trim
  16. charge — a price
  17. bound — certain
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. prune — the fruit
  20. charge — electricity
  21. bound — obliged
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. board — a flat piece

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