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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: track · wax · ruler · branch · pop · bore · chip · mug

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  20. You don't need to ________________ round.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. track — a song
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bore — to drill
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. pop — soda
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. track — to keep track
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. wax — to grow
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. mug — a face
  13. bore — to tire
  14. track — a path
  15. mug — a cup
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. pop — music
  18. chip — to eat
  19. chip — for betting
  20. pop — to visit
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. branch — a division
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. mug — to rob

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