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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. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. bore — to drill
  3. snap — to snap out of it
  4. bore — to tire
  5. bank — for money
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. bulb — for light
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. bank — of a river
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. snap — to click
  20. pass — a permit
  21. bank — for money
  22. bulb — for light
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. rush — hurry

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