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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. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  8. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. season — in sport
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. season — of the year
  5. fork — to eat with
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. content — the amount
  8. content — videos and posts
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. current — happening now
  11. fork — in a road
  12. current — of water
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. current — electric
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bore — to tire
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. rush — hurry
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. content — happy

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