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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 120 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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  3. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. wake — a trail
  3. shower — a meteor shower
  4. pass — a permit
  5. bore — to drill
  6. shower — to wash
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. wake — before a funeral
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. shower — rain
  16. bulb — for light
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. bore — to tire
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. wake — to stop sleeping
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. leaves — lets stay

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