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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 ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. rest — what's left
  3. press — newspapers
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. mug — a cup
  6. mug — to rob
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. press — to push
  9. rush — hurry
  10. can — a tin
  11. press — a publisher
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. can — a tin
  14. bulb — for light
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. can — to be able to
  17. rest — a break
  18. mug — a face
  19. ball — a dance
  20. ball — a great time
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. bulb — for light

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