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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.

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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: mark · coach · ruler · key · spring · dip · branch · bore

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. key — in music
  4. mark — a grade
  5. spring — of water
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. spring — a coil
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. key — for a lock
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. bore — to tire
  12. branch — a division
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. bore — gave birth
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. dip — to sink
  18. mark — a trace
  19. spring — the season
  20. key — the most important part
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. mark — to pay attention

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