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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 ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. mug — to rob
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. pass — a permit
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. mug — a cup
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. bore — to tire
  22. bore — to drill
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. mug — a face

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