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

  1. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. can — a tin
  4. press — a publisher
  5. stand — to bear
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. rock — music
  8. press — to push
  9. rock — a stone
  10. press — newspapers
  11. can — a tin
  12. chip — for betting
  13. ball — a great time
  14. chip — to eat
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. charge — in control
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. chip — in a computer
  19. ball — a dance
  20. charge — a price
  21. charge — electricity
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. can — to be able to

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