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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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. My father caught me by the ________________.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bulb — for light
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. bore — to tire
  10. bore — to drill
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. bulb — for light
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. cue — for pool
  16. key — for a lock
  17. saw — the tool
  18. key — the most important part
  19. key — in music
  20. cue — a hint
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. arm — a part of something
  23. saw — the tool
  24. cue — a signal

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