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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. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  5. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — an injury
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. wake — before a funeral
  5. pitch — a sports field
  6. press — a publisher
  7. wake — a trail
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. fine — all right
  15. press — newspapers
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. pitch — a sales talk
  18. press — to push
  19. wound — past of 'wind'
  20. fine — high quality
  21. wound — an injury
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. pitch — completely
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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