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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
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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: spell · mine · rash · plane · board · safe · bay · coach

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. rash — a series
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. board — to get on
  7. mine — for digging
  8. plane — a tool
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. spell — a short time
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. rash — hasty
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. spell — magic
  16. spell — letters
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. mine — an explosive
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. coach — a trainer

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