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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. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. deal — to handle
  3. object — a thing
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. stem — a stem cell
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. object — to protest
  11. season — of the year
  12. stem — of a plant
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. stem — to come from
  16. object — an aim
  17. press — newspapers
  18. bear — the animal
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. press — to push
  21. season — in sport
  22. bear — the animal
  23. rash — hasty
  24. press — a publisher

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