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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 116 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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. mug — a face
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. press — to push
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. wound — an injury
  7. suit — in cards
  8. mug — a cup
  9. wound — an injury
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. suit — clothes
  12. suit — to fit
  13. pass — a permit
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. key — the most important part
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. mug — to rob
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. key — in music
  21. branch — a division
  22. rush — hurry
  23. key — for a lock
  24. press — a publisher

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