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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. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. bank — for money
  4. pit — a hole
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. bore — to tire
  7. arm — a part of something
  8. rock — music
  9. bank — of a river
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. bank — for money
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. lean — to bend
  14. pit — in a race
  15. rock — a stone
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. lean — thin
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. lean — to rest against

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