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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. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  13. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  14. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. content — the amount
  2. mark — a trace
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. cue — a hint
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. board — to get on
  8. charge — a price
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. shower — a meteor shower
  11. mark — a grade
  12. shower — rain
  13. content — videos and posts
  14. shower — to wash
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. cue — a signal
  17. content — happy
  18. charge — in control
  19. charge — electricity
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. cue — for pool
  23. board — a committee
  24. bowl — a football final

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