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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 120 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
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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: saw · bulb · ball · squash · mug · current · fine · bore

  1. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. bore — to tire
  3. mug — a face
  4. squash — the vegetable
  5. ball — a great time
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. squash — to crush
  10. mug — a cup
  11. current — of water
  12. current — happening now
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bore — to drill
  15. bulb — for light
  16. squash — the sport
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. current — electric
  19. fine — high quality
  20. mug — to rob
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. saw — the tool
  23. saw — the tool
  24. fine — all right

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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