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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 120 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. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. face — part of the head
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. bank — of a river
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. rock — a stone
  7. bulb — for light
  8. bore — to drill
  9. face — to confront
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. stand — to bear
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. bore — to tire
  17. rock — music
  18. stick — to attach or keep to
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. bulb — for light
  22. deal — to handle
  23. bank — for money
  24. bank — for money

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