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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 teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  16. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. We're on a ________________ here.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bore — to drill
  5. kick — a thrill
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. current — of water
  9. bank — for money
  10. key — the most important part
  11. toast — bread
  12. current — happening now
  13. bank — for money
  14. bank — of a river
  15. kick — with a leg
  16. kick — in football
  17. key — for a lock
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. current — electric
  20. bore — to tire
  21. roll — on a roll
  22. roll — a cake
  23. key — in music
  24. ruler — for measuring

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