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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: stand · board · saw · cabinet · bore · key · fan · coach

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. bore — to drill
  3. saw — the tool
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. board — to get on
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. stand — to bear
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. key — for a lock
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. saw — the tool
  19. bore — to tire
  20. key — the most important part
  21. key — in music
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. board — a committee
  24. fan — a supporter

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