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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: wind · can · suit · pass · bark · leaves · bowl · board

  1. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  19. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  23. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bark — of a tree
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. suit — in cards
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. suit — clothes
  7. pass — a permit
  8. can — to be able to
  9. board — to get on
  10. wind — moving air
  11. suit — to fit
  12. board — a committee
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. bark — a dog's sound
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. can — a tin
  18. wind — to turn a key
  19. wind — moving air
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. can — a tin
  22. bowl — to roll
  23. bark — to shout
  24. bowl — a dish

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