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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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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: kick · ruler · nail · mouse · bore · trunk · key · cabinet

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to tire
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. key — for a lock
  8. kick — with a leg
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. kick — in football
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. key — in music
  17. bore — to drill
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. kick — a thrill
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. trunk — of an elephant
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. key — the most important part

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