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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: dip · prune · bore · pass · season · content · temple · root

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  5. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  13. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  17. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  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. dip — to sink
  2. season — of the year
  3. bore — to drill
  4. prune — to trim
  5. content — the amount
  6. root — the cause
  7. root — of a plant
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. pass — a permit
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. prune — the fruit
  13. prune — to trim
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. root — of a word
  16. season — in sport
  17. content — videos and posts
  18. bore — to tire
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. content — happy
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. temple — a place of worship
  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