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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  14. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. press — newspapers
  3. pit — a hole
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. plane — a tool
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. press — a publisher
  9. stock — goods
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. prune — to trim
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. prune — to trim
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. press — to push
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. pit — in a race
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  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