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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. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. We're almost out of ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. net — in sport
  3. suit — to fit
  4. net — after costs
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. charge — in control
  8. pit — in a race
  9. suit — clothes
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. pop — to visit
  12. net — for catching
  13. bore — to tire
  14. suit — in cards
  15. foot — a measure
  16. charge — electricity
  17. lie — to recline
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. pop — music
  20. pop — soda
  21. charge — a price
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. pit — a hole
  24. foot — part of the body

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