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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. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. Don't do anything ________________.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. rash — hasty
  4. bore — to tire
  5. prune — to trim
  6. cue — a hint
  7. cue — a signal
  8. charge — a price
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. rash — on the skin
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. firm — steady
  13. firm — decided
  14. cue — for pool
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. charge — electricity
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. charge — in control
  19. firm — a company
  20. bore — to drill
  21. prune — the fruit
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. prune — to trim

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