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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 train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. The ball is in your ________________.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. court — of law
  4. bore — to drill
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. bore — to tire
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. net — for catching
  10. bulb — for light
  11. suit — clothes
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. net — after costs
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. court — for sport
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. net — in sport
  19. suit — in cards
  20. stand — to bear
  21. bulb — for light
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. court — of a king
  24. suit — to fit

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