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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 black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Don't do anything ________________.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. The players ran onto the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. board — to get on
  3. ball — a great time
  4. rash — a series
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. object — an aim
  7. ball — a dance
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. pitch — completely
  10. rash — on the skin
  11. object — to protest
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. pass — a permit
  15. rash — hasty
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. pitch — a sales talk
  18. object — a thing
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. board — a committee
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. bear — the animal
  24. pitch — a sports field

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