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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: ruler · season · charge · bore · rush · trunk · drill · temple

  1. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. drill — the tool
  4. charge — electricity
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. bore — to tire
  7. season — in sport
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. trunk — of a tree
  10. rush — hurry
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. bore — to drill
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. charge — a price
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. charge — in control
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. season — of the year
  23. drill — army training
  24. rush — to hurry

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