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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: wax · jam · pass · date · fork · hide · bore · spell

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. How do you ________________ your surname?
  3. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  4. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  5. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. Have you settled on a ________________?
  24. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. spell — letters
  3. fork — a garden tool
  4. fork — in a road
  5. fork — to eat with
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. spell — magic
  9. wax — in the ear
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. spell — a short time
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. bore — to tire
  15. wax — to grow
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. pass — a permit
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. date — the fruit

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