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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.

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: suit · fork · board · mate · tube · temple · coach · bound

  1. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. suit — clothes
  3. tube — a container
  4. bound — certain
  5. board — to get on
  6. bound — obliged
  7. fork — a garden tool
  8. board — a committee
  9. tube — the underground
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. bound — tied together
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. mate — to breed
  15. suit — in cards
  16. mate — a friend
  17. suit — to fit
  18. fork — in a road
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. mate — a partner
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. temple — side of the head

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