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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 people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. Have you found your soul ________________?
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. press — newspapers
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. dip — to sink
  5. mate — a partner
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. cap — a lid
  11. mate — a friend
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. mate — to breed
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. cap — of ice
  18. press — a publisher
  19. cap — a hat
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. rush — hurry
  24. press — to push

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