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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 116 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: object · bore · staff · pass · cabinet · scale · lash · pit

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. bore — to drill
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. object — an aim
  5. object — a thing
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. pass — a permit
  10. scale — in music
  11. pit — a hole
  12. staff — employees
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. bore — to tire
  16. staff — employees
  17. pit — in a race
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. object — to protest
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. scale — size or range
  23. staff — a stick
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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