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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. I can't ________________ this cold.
  3. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. stand — to bear
  3. staff — employees
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. can — a tin
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. staff — employees
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. rush — hurry
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. can — a tin
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. bore — to tire
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. can — to be able to
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. staff — a stick

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