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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 spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. press — newspapers
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. net — in sport
  5. chip — for betting
  6. net — for catching
  7. fine — high quality
  8. net — after costs
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. charge — electricity
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. tube — in a tire
  16. press — a publisher
  17. charge — in control
  18. fine — all right
  19. tube — a container
  20. tube — the underground
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. charge — a price
  23. chip — to eat
  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