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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 girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  21. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. rock — a stone
  3. season — in sport
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. row — a quarrel
  6. can — to be able to
  7. bank — for money
  8. board — a committee
  9. bank — of a river
  10. bank — for money
  11. snap — to speak sharply
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. snap — to click
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. season — of the year
  16. rock — music
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. pass — a permit
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. row — to paddle
  21. snap — to snap out of it
  22. can — a tin
  23. can — a tin
  24. board — to get on

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