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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 116 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: mouse · mug · hide · bore · bass · trunk · deal · root

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  10. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. bore — to tire
  3. trunk — of an elephant
  4. mug — a cup
  5. root — the cause
  6. deal — to handle
  7. root — of a plant
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. bass — low music
  10. trunk — of a tree
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. trunk — of a car
  13. bass — the fish
  14. mug — to rob
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. root — of a word
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. mug — a face
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. hide — to keep secret

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