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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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. David sat on the ________________.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. She had a strange look on her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. swing — music
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. board — a committee
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. board — to get on
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. swing — in golf
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. suit — clothes
  11. swing — to play on
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. mug — to rob
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. face — to confront
  16. mug — a cup
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. suit — in cards
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. face — to point toward
  22. mug — a face
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. face — part of the head

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