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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  19. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  20. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  21. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. prune — to trim
  3. firm — decided
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. firm — steady
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. dip — to sink
  8. saw — the tool
  9. saw — the tool
  10. lean — to bend
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. prune — the fruit
  16. bore — to tire
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. lean — to rest against
  19. dip — to dunk
  20. prune — to trim
  21. lean — thin
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. bore — to drill
  24. firm — a company

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