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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
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: squash · deal · bore · firm · fork · jam · track · rash

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  7. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. rash — a series
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. rash — hasty
  6. fork — to eat with
  7. fork — in a road
  8. bore — to tire
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. squash — the vegetable
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. track — a path
  14. deal — to handle
  15. track — to keep track
  16. squash — to crush
  17. track — a song
  18. fork — a garden tool
  19. firm — steady
  20. squash — the sport
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. firm — a company
  23. firm — decided
  24. deal — a big deal

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