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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. press — to push
  3. press — newspapers
  4. object — to protest
  5. cap — of ice
  6. bound — tied together
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. track — a song
  10. rock — music
  11. press — a publisher
  12. bound — obliged
  13. rock — a stone
  14. track — a path
  15. track — to keep track
  16. object — a thing
  17. lie — to recline
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. deal — to handle
  20. cap — a lid
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. bound — certain
  23. object — an aim
  24. cap — a hat

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