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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. bore — to tire
  5. board — a committee
  6. trunk — of a tree
  7. bore — to drill
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. board — to get on
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. safe — out of danger

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