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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. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. My father caught me by the ________________.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — a garden tool
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. bear — the animal
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. tube — a container
  6. fork — in a road
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. press — newspapers
  9. tube — the underground
  10. fork — to eat with
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. bear — the animal
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. press — to push
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. press — a publisher
  22. lie — to recline
  23. deal — to handle
  24. safe — out of danger

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