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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. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. bore — to tire
  4. can — a tin
  5. press — to push
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. wax — to grow
  9. bore — to drill
  10. patient — calm and waiting
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. toast — bread
  14. can — to be able to
  15. press — a publisher
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. patient — a sick person
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. branch — a division
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. can — a tin
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. lie — to recline
  24. wax — in the ear

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