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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: dip · board · wake · suit · key · toast · bore · trunk

  1. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  2. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. wake — to stop sleeping
  2. wake — a trail
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. wake — before a funeral
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. board — to get on
  10. toast — bread
  11. dip — to sink
  12. board — a committee
  13. suit — clothes
  14. key — in music
  15. suit — in cards
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. key — for a lock
  18. key — the most important part
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. bore — to drill
  21. suit — to fit
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. bore — to tire

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