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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 124 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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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: safe · mark · pass · mate · trunk · rock · craft · board

  1. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  20. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  21. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. trunk — of a car
  3. rock — a stone
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. mark — a grade
  6. mark — a trace
  7. mate — to breed
  8. rock — music
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. mate — a friend
  11. pass — a permit
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. board — to get on
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. trunk — of a tree
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. board — a committee
  19. craft — a handicraft
  20. craft — boats
  21. craft — a skill
  22. mate — a partner
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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