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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 120 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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. bulb — for light
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. root — the cause
  5. press — to push
  6. bear — the animal
  7. drill — the tool
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. press — a publisher
  10. drill — army training
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. root — of a plant
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. board — to get on
  16. drill — a practice
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. bulb — for light
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. root — of a word
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. bear — the animal
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. board — a committee

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