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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 big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. stem — of a plant
  3. key — in music
  4. press — a publisher
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. key — the most important part
  7. toast — bread
  8. staff — employees
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. staff — a stick
  11. rock — a stone
  12. rest — a break
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. rest — what's left
  15. press — to push
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. stem — to come from
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. rest — what's left
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. key — for a lock
  23. rock — music
  24. staff — employees

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