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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. fork — in a road
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. fork — to eat with
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. net — in sport
  10. net — after costs
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. charge — in control
  13. board — to get on
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. net — for catching
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. fork — a garden tool
  20. charge — electricity
  21. charge — a price
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. board — a committee

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