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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: bore · ruler · pit · craft · foot · coach · hand · jam

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  9. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. bore — to tire
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. craft — a handicraft
  7. pit — a hole
  8. craft — a skill
  9. hand — part of the body
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. pit — in a race
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. hand — in cards
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. bore — to drill
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. foot — a measure
  21. hand — help
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. craft — boats
  24. bore — gave birth

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