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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. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. He works in a ________________ mill.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. bound — certain
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. vault — a safe
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. saw — the tool
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. bound — obliged
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. rush — hurry
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. bound — tied together
  20. saw — the tool
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. vault — an arched ceiling
  23. press — a publisher
  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