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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: bat · charge · bay · bulb · bore · ruler · rock · arm

  1. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  5. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. charge — electricity
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. bat — for baseball
  5. bat — in an idiom
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. bore — to drill
  9. bulb — for light
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. rock — music
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. bat — the animal
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. charge — a price
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bay — to keep at bay
  18. charge — in control
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. rock — a stone
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. bore — to tire
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. bulb — for light

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