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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. board — a committee
  3. stand — to bear
  4. mug — a cup
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. ball — a great time
  7. bound — tied together
  8. tube — a container
  9. mug — to rob
  10. rest — what's left
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. wave — a sudden rise
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. tube — the underground
  15. board — to get on
  16. rest — a break
  17. bound — obliged
  18. rest — what's left
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. ball — a dance
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. mug — a face
  24. bound — certain

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