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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
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: rush · bore · mine · chip · bear · pass · dip · temple

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. dip — to sink
  5. chip — to eat
  6. mine — belonging to me
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. mine — for digging
  11. bear — the animal
  12. mine — an explosive
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. pass — a permit
  15. bore — to drill
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. bore — to tire
  18. bear — the animal
  19. rush — hurry
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. chip — for betting
  23. chip — in a computer
  24. rush — a thrill

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