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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 girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. content — videos and posts
  3. rock — a stone
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. content — happy
  6. key — in music
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. fine — high quality
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. content — the amount
  13. rock — music
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. pass — a permit
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. row — to paddle
  19. bore — to drill
  20. key — the most important part
  21. row — a quarrel
  22. bore — to tire
  23. fine — all right
  24. key — for a lock

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