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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. The tickets are free of ________________.
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — a price
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. board — to get on
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. scale — in music
  13. board — a committee
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. bowl — a dish
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. charge — in control
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. scale — for weighing
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. charge — electricity
  22. scale — size or range
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. bowl — a football final

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