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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. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. bore — to drill
  3. craft — a skill
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. bound — obliged
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. bound — certain
  8. ball — a dance
  9. craft — a handicraft
  10. craft — boats
  11. bore — to tire
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. bowl — a dish
  16. ball — a great time
  17. bulb — for light
  18. toast — bread
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. bound — tied together
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. bore — gave birth

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