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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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  23. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  24. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. rush — hurry
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. suit — to fit
  7. press — newspapers
  8. rash — a series
  9. rash — hasty
  10. saw — the tool
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. pass — a permit
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. suit — in cards
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. saw — the tool
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. press — a publisher
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. 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