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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: staff · board · bass · can · fine · pit · bound · mark

  1. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. bass — the instrument
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. fine — high quality
  5. can — to be able to
  6. mark — a grade
  7. staff — employees
  8. bound — certain
  9. fine — all right
  10. staff — employees
  11. mark — a trace
  12. board — to get on
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. bass — low music
  15. board — a committee
  16. pit — a hole
  17. bound — obliged
  18. can — a tin
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. staff — a stick
  21. can — a tin
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. bound — tied together
  24. pit — in a race

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