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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 ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Have you settled on a ________________?
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. rest — what's left
  3. branch — a division
  4. can — to be able to
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. date — the fruit
  10. rest — what's left
  11. rest — a break
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. can — a tin
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. roll — a cake
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. roll — a list
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. branch — of a bank
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. press — to push
  22. can — a tin
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. press — a publisher

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