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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: suit · bay · board · cabinet · craft · bore · racket · charge

  1. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  2. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. bore — to tire
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. craft — a skill
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. racket — a loud noise
  9. bore — to drill
  10. suit — to fit
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. board — to get on
  14. charge — a price
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. board — a committee
  17. suit — in cards
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. suit — clothes
  20. craft — a handicraft
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. craft — boats
  23. charge — electricity
  24. charge — in control

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