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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. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. band — a music group
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. bear — the animal
  5. bear — the animal
  6. pop — soda
  7. fine — all right
  8. ball — a great time
  9. bore — to drill
  10. pop — music
  11. band — a rubber band
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. fine — high quality
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. board — a committee
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. ball — a dance
  19. bore — to tire
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. board — to get on
  22. band — a ring
  23. pop — to visit
  24. board — a flat piece

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