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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. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. craft — boats
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. craft — a skill
  6. mark — a grade
  7. object — to protest
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. object — an aim
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. straw — a straw man
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. deal — to handle
  15. bore — to tire
  16. straw — dry grass
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. straw — to clutch at straws
  22. mark — a trace
  23. object — a thing
  24. safe — out of danger

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