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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. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. press — a publisher
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. press — to push
  5. board — a committee
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. rush — hurry
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. press — newspapers
  17. cue — a signal
  18. cue — a hint
  19. cue — for pool
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. board — to get on

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