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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 captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. It's one o'clock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. fork — in a road
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. lie — to recline
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. dip — to sink
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. bulb — for light
  14. board — a committee
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. sharp — clever
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. fork — to eat with
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. fork — a garden tool
  23. bulb — for light
  24. sharp — exactly

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