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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.

Make a worksheet

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: content · roll · bore · stick · leaves · net · craft · object

  1. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  20. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  23. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. net — for catching
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. object — a thing
  4. roll — a list
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. object — an aim
  7. craft — a skill
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. craft — a handicraft
  12. roll — a cake
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. net — after costs
  15. object — to protest
  16. bore — to drill
  17. net — in sport
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. content — the amount
  20. content — happy
  21. bore — to tire
  22. craft — boats
  23. content — videos and posts
  24. leaves — of a tree

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