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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
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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: pass · prune · perch · bore · pitcher · stand · bowl · bulb

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. stand — to bear
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. perch — the fish
  12. bore — to tire
  13. prune — the fruit
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. prune — to trim
  18. prune — to trim
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. bulb — for light
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. pass — a permit

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