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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. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. Did you ________________ the meat?

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

Answer key

  1. kick — with a leg
  2. bore — to drill
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. object — to protest
  5. wave — with your hand
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. kick — a thrill
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. bulb — for light
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. bulb — for light
  12. rock — music
  13. object — an aim
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. object — a thing
  16. rock — a stone
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. season — in sport
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. kick — in football
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. season — of the year
  23. bore — to tire
  24. season — to add flavour

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