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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: firm · suit · bore · deal · rock · lean · mark · rash

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to tire
  2. firm — decided
  3. rash — a series
  4. rock — a stone
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. mark — a grade
  7. mark — a trace
  8. bore — to drill
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. suit — in cards
  11. lean — thin
  12. rock — music
  13. rash — hasty
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. deal — to handle
  17. suit — to fit
  18. firm — a company
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. lean — to bend
  23. suit — clothes
  24. firm — steady

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