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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 116 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. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. rock — a stone
  3. bore — to drill
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. face — part of the head
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. face — to confront
  9. bore — to tire
  10. tube — a container
  11. rock — music
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. mug — a cup
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. mug — to rob
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. tube — the underground
  24. mug — a face

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