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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 124 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. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. chair — a leader
  2. can — a tin
  3. key — in music
  4. fork — in a road
  5. key — the most important part
  6. board — to get on
  7. key — for a lock
  8. suit — in cards
  9. suit — to fit
  10. bound — obliged
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. can — a tin
  13. fork — a garden tool
  14. bound — certain
  15. fork — to eat with
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. fine — all right
  18. suit — clothes
  19. fine — high quality
  20. chair — to sit on
  21. board — a committee
  22. can — to be able to
  23. bound — tied together
  24. chair — a professorship

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