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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. cue — a signal
  3. can — a tin
  4. face — part of the head
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. press — a publisher
  8. key — in music
  9. cue — for pool
  10. can — a tin
  11. can — to be able to
  12. cue — a hint
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. face — to point toward
  15. key — the most important part
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. face — to confront
  18. bear — the animal
  19. press — newspapers
  20. bear — the animal
  21. press — to push
  22. key — for a lock
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. bear — to put up with

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