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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. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  17. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. content — the amount
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. can — to be able to
  4. charge — a price
  5. press — newspapers
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. charge — electricity
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. press — to push
  11. press — a publisher
  12. charge — in control
  13. can — a tin
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. content — happy
  17. content — videos and posts
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. can — a tin
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. toast — bread
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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