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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: roll · bore · rush · lash · swing · pass · bulb · rock

  1. David sat on the ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — to play on
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. bulb — for light
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. swing — music
  8. roll — a list
  9. swing — in golf
  10. rock — a stone
  11. bore — to tire
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. rush — hurry
  16. bore — to drill
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. rock — music
  20. pass — a permit
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. bulb — for light
  24. roll — a cake

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