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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: pitcher · bore · mark · fine · plane · staff · press · rash

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. mark — a grade
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. staff — employees
  5. press — a publisher
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. bore — to drill
  8. rash — hasty
  9. press — newspapers
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. press — to push
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. rash — a series
  15. fine — all right
  16. staff — a stick
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. mark — a trace
  19. bore — to tire
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. staff — employees
  22. fine — high quality
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. fine — a penalty

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