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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. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. can — a tin
  5. pitch — a sales talk
  6. can — a tin
  7. saw — the tool
  8. face — part of the head
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. face — to confront
  11. saw — the tool
  12. bore — to tire
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. bore — gave birth
  15. face — to point toward
  16. mug — to rob
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. firm — steady
  19. mug — a cup
  20. can — to be able to
  21. firm — decided
  22. pitch — completely
  23. mug — a face
  24. firm — a company

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