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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. bore — to tire
  4. current — happening now
  5. bore — to drill
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. current — of water
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. branch — a division
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. toast — bread
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. stand — to bear
  21. branch — of a tree
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. current — electric
  24. cabinet — ministers

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