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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. bowl — a football final
  5. rock — a stone
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. bank — for money
  9. season — in sport
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. prune — to trim
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. bank — for money
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. bank — of a river
  20. bore — to tire
  21. rock — music
  22. season — of the year
  23. prune — to trim
  24. toast — bread

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