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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: bore · can · safe · mouse · rock · board · prune · lean

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. can — to be able to
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. lean — thin
  6. rock — a stone
  7. rock — music
  8. lean — to bend
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. prune — to trim
  11. board — to get on
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. board — a committee
  14. prune — to trim
  15. can — a tin
  16. bore — to drill
  17. prune — the fruit
  18. bore — to tire
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. can — a tin
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. safe — a strongbox

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