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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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rest — what's left
  4. prune — to trim
  5. prune — the fruit
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. bore — to tire
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. prune — to trim
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. rest — what's left
  12. rest — a break
  13. rush — hurry
  14. rock — music
  15. chair — to sit on
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. chair — a leader
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. chair — a professorship
  23. lie — to recline
  24. bore — to drill

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