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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: fine · current · bore · stick · tube · firm · foot · toast

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  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. bore — to drill
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. current — electric
  5. current — happening now
  6. firm — a company
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. toast — bread
  9. firm — steady
  10. bore — to tire
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. foot — a measure
  17. fine — high quality
  18. fine — all right
  19. firm — decided
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. tube — a container
  22. current — of water
  23. tube — the underground
  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