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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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Word bank
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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. When are we going to ________________?
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  17. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. can — a tin
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. land — to come down
  5. bass — low music
  6. spell — letters
  7. bass — the fish
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. spell — a short time
  10. press — newspapers
  11. suit — to fit
  12. suit — clothes
  13. rash — a series
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. spell — magic
  17. land — ground
  18. press — a publisher
  19. press — to push
  20. rash — hasty
  21. suit — in cards
  22. bass — the instrument
  23. can — to be able to
  24. land — a country

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