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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. suit — to fit
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. mark — a trace
  6. suit — in cards
  7. charge — in control
  8. bore — to tire
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. suit — clothes
  11. fork — in a road
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. deal — to handle
  15. mark — a grade
  16. prune — to trim
  17. charge — a price
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. bore — to drill
  20. plane — a tool
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. charge — electricity
  23. prune — to trim
  24. fork — to eat with

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