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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. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. board — a committee
  3. mark — a grade
  4. object — an aim
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. lie — to recline
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. tube — the underground
  10. bowl — a football final
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. board — to get on
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. object — to protest
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. wax — to grow
  19. object — a thing
  20. tube — a container
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. mark — a trace
  24. safe — out of danger

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