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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  16. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. bound — tied together
  3. saw — the tool
  4. cap — a lid
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. suit — to fit
  7. suit — in cards
  8. saw — the tool
  9. press — newspapers
  10. bound — obliged
  11. bound — certain
  12. press — a publisher
  13. charge — electricity
  14. press — to push
  15. cap — a hat
  16. cap — of ice
  17. suit — clothes
  18. charge — a price

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