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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.

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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: bulb · saw · can · roll · board · bore · deal · coach

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. bulb — for light
  3. board — to get on
  4. can — a tin
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. can — to be able to
  8. can — a tin
  9. saw — the tool
  10. board — a committee
  11. bore — to drill
  12. bulb — for light
  13. saw — the tool
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. roll — a cake
  20. deal — to handle
  21. bore — to tire
  22. roll — a list
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. deal — an agreement

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