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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: lie · hide · bound · foot · bore · board · row · root

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. bound — certain
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. bore — to tire
  6. root — the cause
  7. lie — to recline
  8. row — a quarrel
  9. board — a committee
  10. row — a line
  11. foot — a measure
  12. root — of a plant
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. board — to get on
  15. bound — obliged
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. bore — to drill
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. bound — tied together
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. root — of a word

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