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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Have you settled on a ________________?
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. press — newspapers
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. cue — a hint
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. fork — a garden tool
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. press — to push
  14. press — a publisher
  15. fork — in a road
  16. cue — for pool
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. date — the fruit
  22. cue — a signal
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. fork — to eat with

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