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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 124 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
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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: lash · bark · safe · bore · pitcher · can · chair · jam

  1. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  12. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.

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

Answer key

  1. chair — to sit on
  2. bore — to drill
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. bore — to tire
  5. can — to be able to
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. can — a tin
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. bark — to shout
  12. chair — a professorship
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. bark — a dog's sound
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. bark — of a tree
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. can — a tin
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. chair — a leader

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