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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 116 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 cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. bore — to drill
  3. net — for catching
  4. suit — in cards
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. bore — to tire
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. bear — the animal
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. net — in sport
  13. charge — in control
  14. charge — electricity
  15. suit — to fit
  16. net — after costs
  17. bear — to put up with
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. plane — a tool
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. bear — the animal
  24. charge — a price

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