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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. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — the season
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. cue — a hint
  4. bore — to drill
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. current — happening now
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. current — of water
  10. current — electric
  11. cue — for pool
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. cue — a signal
  15. pass — a permit
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. bore — to tire
  20. rush — hurry
  21. spring — of water
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. spring — a coil

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