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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. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. I seem to be developing a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. bound — tied together
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. board — a committee
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. rash — hasty
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. plane — a tool
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. bound — obliged
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. bound — certain
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. rash — a series
  23. rush — hurry
  24. rash — on the skin

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