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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  24. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. pitch — completely
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. pitch — a sales talk
  8. saw — the tool
  9. bore — to tire
  10. bore — to drill
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. saw — past of 'see'
  13. saw — the tool
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. prune — to trim
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. pass — a permit
  23. trunk — of an elephant
  24. prune — to trim

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