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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: dip · pit · mug · safe · spell · bore · net · arm

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. How do you ________________ your surname?
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  19. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. net — in sport
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. bore — to drill
  5. pit — a hole
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. bore — to tire
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. mug — a cup
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. dip — to sink
  12. spell — a short time
  13. spell — letters
  14. pit — in a race
  15. spell — magic
  16. mug — a face
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. net — for catching
  19. net — after costs
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. mug — to rob
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. safe — out of danger

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