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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: mug · root · board · mark · bound · bay · deal · wound

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  21. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. root — the cause
  3. mug — a cup
  4. mug — to rob
  5. root — of a plant
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. bound — obliged
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. board — a committee
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. deal — to handle
  15. board — to get on
  16. mug — a face
  17. bound — certain
  18. root — of a word
  19. mark — a grade
  20. wound — an injury
  21. wound — an injury
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. wound — past of 'wind'
  24. mark — a trace

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