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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: cell · lie · safe · key · suit · leaves · board · rock

  1. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. He was locked up in a ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. board — a committee
  3. suit — in cards
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. board — to get on
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. key — the most important part
  10. cell — a phone
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. key — in music
  13. cell — in biology
  14. lie — to recline
  15. suit — clothes
  16. key — for a lock
  17. rock — music
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. cell — in a prison
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. rock — a stone
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. suit — to fit

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