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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 120 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: pitcher · bore · field · safe · stick · firm · mark · ruler

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. field — a subject
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. field — farmland
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. mark — a trace
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. field — for sport
  14. firm — steady
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. firm — decided
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. mark — a grade
  23. bore — to tire
  24. firm — a company

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