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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. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  9. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  16. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  17. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  18. I'll be taking the ________________.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. bore — to tire
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. bulb — for light
  6. key — in music
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. squash — the vegetable
  9. squash — the sport
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. suit — to fit
  12. rash — hasty
  13. rash — a series
  14. key — the most important part
  15. squash — to crush
  16. rash — on the skin
  17. patient — calm and waiting
  18. tube — the underground
  19. key — for a lock
  20. bulb — for light
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. tube — a container
  23. suit — clothes
  24. suit — in cards

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