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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. Did you ________________ the button?
  2. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  3. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. press — to push
  2. rest — a break
  3. face — to point toward
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. sharp — clever
  6. rock — a stone
  7. rock — music
  8. suit — to fit
  9. face — part of the head
  10. press — newspapers
  11. suit — clothes
  12. rest — what's left
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. face — to confront
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. press — a publisher
  21. lie — to recline
  22. rest — what's left
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. suit — in cards

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