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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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. There's no middle ________________.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. mug — a face
  3. press — to push
  4. ground — the earth
  5. current — happening now
  6. key — in music
  7. can — a tin
  8. key — for a lock
  9. mug — to rob
  10. can — to be able to
  11. key — the most important part
  12. can — a tin
  13. mug — a cup
  14. spell — a short time
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. current — of water
  18. spell — letters
  19. ground — a position
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. press — a publisher
  22. spell — magic
  23. current — electric
  24. ground — crushed

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