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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. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  2. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. bark — a dog's sound
  2. bark — of a tree
  3. mark — a trace
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. current — of water
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. lie — to recline
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. board — to get on
  15. bound — obliged
  16. bound — tied together
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. current — electric
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. current — happening now
  21. bark — to shout
  22. board — a committee
  23. bound — certain
  24. mark — a grade

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