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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bore · temple · cabinet · branch · pound · face · rush · safe

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  16. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. bore — to tire
  4. pound — a weight
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. branch — of a bank
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. face — to point toward
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. pound — for dogs
  16. pound — to hit hard
  17. face — to confront
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. branch — a division
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. rush — hurry
  23. face — part of the head
  24. safe — out of danger

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