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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  7. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  8. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  13. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. object — a thing
  3. bore — to drill
  4. wound — past of 'wind'
  5. object — an aim
  6. face — part of the head
  7. face — to confront
  8. wound — an injury
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. cue — for pool
  11. object — to protest
  12. wound — an injury
  13. prune — to trim
  14. face — to point toward
  15. prune — to trim
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. bore — to tire
  19. cue — a signal
  20. fine — all right
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. fine — high quality
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. cue — a hint

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