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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. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. bore — to drill
  5. pound — for dogs
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. file — a document
  8. dip — to sink
  9. bore — to tire
  10. cue — a hint
  11. cue — for pool
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. pound — a weight
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. file — a tool
  16. file — a line of people
  17. cue — a signal
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. pound — to hit hard
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. lash — to lash out

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