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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
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: cap · pitch · last · fan · bound · board · safe · fork

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. False peace will not ________________.
  11. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  12. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  13. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  20. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. bound — certain
  3. pitch — completely
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. fork — a garden tool
  6. bound — obliged
  7. pitch — a sports field
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. board — to get on
  10. last — to go on
  11. cap — of ice
  12. cap — a hat
  13. last — finally
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. cap — a lid
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. last — final
  20. fork — to eat with
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. board — a committee
  23. bound — tied together
  24. board — a flat piece

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