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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. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. present — a gift
  2. file — a document
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. mug — to rob
  5. file — a tool
  6. perch — the fish
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. file — a line of people
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. bore — to tire
  11. present — the time now
  12. saw — the tool
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. present — there
  15. saw — the tool
  16. bore — to drill
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. mug — a cup
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. rush — hurry
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. lie — to recline
  23. mug — a face
  24. rush — to hurry

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