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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.

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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: fan · bore · saw · lie · board · date · bank · safe

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Have you settled on a ________________?
  19. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. bore — to drill
  7. bank — of a river
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. bore — to tire
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. saw — the tool
  12. bank — for money
  13. bank — for money
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. board — to get on
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. date — the fruit
  20. board — a committee
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. saw — the tool
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. fan — to cool the air

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