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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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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: ruler · pass · temple · lie · bore · rock · hide · perch

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. perch — the fish
  3. pass — a permit
  4. bore — to tire
  5. lie — to recline
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. bore — to drill
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. rock — a stone
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. rock — music

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