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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.

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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: pitcher · pass · trunk · pit · season · board · fine · bore

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  22. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. bore — to drill
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. pass — a permit
  5. board — to get on
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. board — a committee
  8. season — in sport
  9. season — of the year
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. fine — high quality
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. bore — to tire
  16. pit — a hole
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. pit — a fruit stone
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. fine — all right
  21. pit — in a race
  22. trunk — of a tree
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. pass — to succeed

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