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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: spell · pass · rock · bowl · toast · jam · fan · bore

  1. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  24. How do you ________________ your surname?

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. rock — music
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. bore — to drill
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. bore — to tire
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. pass — a permit
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. spell — magic
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. toast — bread
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. rock — a stone
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. spell — a short time
  24. spell — letters

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