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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: fall · board · current · arm · safe · lean · leaves · mark

  1. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. My father caught me by the ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.

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

Answer key

  1. fall — to drop
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. board — a committee
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. fall — to drop
  9. current — of water
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. current — electric
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. board — to get on
  17. arm — part of the body
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. lean — to bend
  20. current — happening now
  21. mark — a trace
  22. lean — thin
  23. mark — a grade
  24. fall — the season

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