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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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. bore — to drill
  3. lie — to recline
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. board — a committee
  6. suit — in cards
  7. suit — to fit
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. fine — all right
  10. bound — tied together
  11. board — to get on
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. bound — obliged
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. fine — high quality
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. bound — certain
  20. bore — to tire
  21. dip — a sauce
  22. dip — to sink
  23. lie — an untruth
  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