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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 function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. wax — to grow
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. face — part of the head
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. toast — bread
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. face — to confront
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. press — a publisher
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. craft — a handicraft
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. craft — boats
  22. craft — a skill
  23. press — to push
  24. face — to point toward

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