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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. Have you met the new head ________________?
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  5. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. spring — the season
  5. spring — of water
  6. rock — a stone
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. board — to get on
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. bank — for money
  12. bank — of a river
  13. coach — pulled by horses
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. spring — a coil
  16. board — a committee
  17. stand — to bear
  18. rock — music
  19. bank — for money
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. mark — a grade
  24. mark — a trace

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