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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
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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: board · saw · lean · lash · deal · rock · press · nail

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. press — to push
  3. press — newspapers
  4. saw — the tool
  5. rock — music
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. deal — to handle
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. lean — to bend
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. lean — thin
  19. board — to get on
  20. rock — a stone
  21. saw — the tool
  22. press — a publisher
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. deal — an agreement

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