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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: jam · present · calf · bore · ball · mark · mouse · rock

  1. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. present — the time now
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. bore — to drill
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. bore — to tire
  7. rock — a stone
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. mark — a trace
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. rock — music
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. present — a gift
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. mark — a grade
  19. bore — gave birth
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. ball — a great time
  23. present — there
  24. ball — a dance

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