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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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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: root · rock · rush · nail · cabinet · pit · mug · bore

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. rock — a stone
  3. bore — to tire
  4. nail — on a finger
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. root — of a plant
  8. pit — a hole
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. mug — to rob
  11. root — the cause
  12. rock — music
  13. bore — to drill
  14. pit — in a race
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. root — of a word
  18. rush — hurry
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. mug — a cup
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. mug — a face
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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