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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 120 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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. That was a fun ________________.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. stand — to bear
  4. game — wild animals
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. board — to get on
  7. board — a committee
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. bound — certain
  10. bound — obliged
  11. bulb — for light
  12. root — of a word
  13. game — a kind of play
  14. bulb — for light
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. root — of a plant
  22. root — the cause
  23. game — a match
  24. bound — tied together

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