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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 120 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
468
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: spell · foot · current · cap · leaves · rock · bore · bound

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. How do you ________________ your surname?
  9. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. spell — a short time
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. cap — a lid
  6. bore — to drill
  7. cap — a hat
  8. spell — letters
  9. spell — magic
  10. bound — tied together
  11. current — happening now
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. current — electric
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. bore — to tire
  16. foot — a measure
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. rock — music
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. bound — obliged
  21. current — of water
  22. bound — certain
  23. cap — of ice
  24. foot — the bottom

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