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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 kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. I'll be taking the ________________.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. mark — a grade
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. mark — a trace
  6. ball — a great time
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. press — to push
  11. tube — in a tire
  12. tube — a container
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. stand — to bear
  15. press — a publisher
  16. rock — music
  17. rock — a stone
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. ball — a dance
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. tube — the underground
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. mark — to pay attention

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