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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 function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  3. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. We're almost out of ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. press — a publisher
  3. wake — a trail
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. toast — bread
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. pop — music
  8. current — happening now
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. pop — soda
  11. press — to push
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. current — of water
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. wake — before a funeral
  16. pop — to visit
  17. wake — to stop sleeping
  18. season — in sport
  19. season — of the year
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. current — electric
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. mouse — for a computer

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