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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: bank · pitch · rock · can · tear · plane · bore · cue

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. tear — from crying
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. rock — music
  6. cue — a signal
  7. pitch — completely
  8. bore — to tire
  9. cue — for pool
  10. tear — to rip
  11. can — to be able to
  12. tear — from crying
  13. bore — to drill
  14. bank — for money
  15. can — a tin
  16. pitch — a sales talk
  17. can — a tin
  18. bank — for money
  19. cue — a hint
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. plane — a tool
  23. rock — a stone
  24. bank — of a river

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