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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 116 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. Did you ________________ the button?
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. press — to push
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. charge — in control
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. charge — electricity
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. charge — a price
  11. press — newspapers
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. bore — to drill
  19. board — a committee
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. press — a publisher
  22. board — to get on
  23. pass — a permit
  24. bore — to tire

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