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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
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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: row · suit · ball · board · current · staff · tube · pitcher

  1. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. I'll be taking the ________________.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. ball — a dance
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. staff — a stick
  5. suit — to fit
  6. row — to paddle
  7. row — a line
  8. suit — clothes
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. row — a quarrel
  11. ball — a great time
  12. current — of water
  13. board — to get on
  14. current — happening now
  15. board — a committee
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. suit — in cards
  18. tube — the underground
  19. tube — a container
  20. staff — employees
  21. current — electric
  22. staff — employees
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. pitcher — in baseball

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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