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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. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. There's no middle ________________.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. bore — to drill
  4. track — a song
  5. ground — the earth
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. ground — crushed
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. board — to get on
  16. track — to keep track
  17. stand — to bear
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. ground — a position
  20. track — a path
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. bore — to tire
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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