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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. It's one o'clock ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  15. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. snap — to snap out of it
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. bore — to drill
  9. sharp — exactly
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. sharp — clever
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. bore — to tire
  14. craft — a handicraft
  15. craft — a skill
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. snap — to click
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. craft — boats
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. pass — a permit
  24. dip — to dunk

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