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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. My father caught me by the ________________.
  19. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. press — newspapers
  3. bore — to drill
  4. shower — to wash
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. shower — a meteor shower
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. press — to push
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. bore — to tire
  11. shower — rain
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. hand — in cards
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. press — a publisher
  16. pass — a permit
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. hand — help
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. hand — part of the body
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. dip — to dunk

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