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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: coach · board · nail · ruler · bulb · racket · mark · dip

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. bulb — for light
  5. board — a committee
  6. mark — a grade
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. bulb — for light
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. mark — a trace
  16. board — to get on
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. dip — to sink

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