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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. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  18. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — a straw man
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. press — newspapers
  6. rock — a stone
  7. charge — electricity
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. rock — music
  10. press — a publisher
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. stand — to bear
  13. press — to push
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. straw — to clutch at straws
  16. charge — in control
  17. stock — goods
  18. straw — dry grass
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. charge — a price
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. stock — shares
  24. calf — a young animal

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