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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. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. When are we going to ________________?
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. land — a country
  2. press — newspapers
  3. press — to push
  4. deal — to handle
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. press — a publisher
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. wax — to grow
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. land — ground
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. land — to come down
  24. stand — to bear

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