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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: file · bore · arm · safe · rush · trunk · dip · suit

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  8. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. rush — hurry
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. suit — in cards
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. arm — a part of something
  8. file — a tool
  9. dip — to sink
  10. suit — to fit
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. file — a line of people
  17. suit — clothes
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. trunk — of a tree
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. bore — to tire
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. bore — to drill

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