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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.

Make a worksheet

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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. mine — an explosive
  6. rest — what's left
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. mine — for digging
  11. rest — what's left
  12. toast — bread
  13. press — a publisher
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. rest — a break
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. press — to push

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