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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: bulb · bore · squash · safe · last · drill · temple · rock

  1. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  2. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  12. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  13. False peace will not ________________.
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  16. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — to crush
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. drill — the tool
  4. rock — a stone
  5. last — finally
  6. squash — the sport
  7. bore — to tire
  8. bore — to drill
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bore — gave birth
  12. drill — a practice
  13. last — to go on
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. last — final
  16. squash — the vegetable
  17. rock — music
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. drill — army training
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — a strongbox

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