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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 little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. How do you ________________ your surname?
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. That was ________________ to happen.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. firm — steady
  3. press — newspapers
  4. firm — decided
  5. press — a publisher
  6. bear — the animal
  7. bound — obliged
  8. spell — magic
  9. spell — letters
  10. press — to push
  11. plane — a tool
  12. bound — certain
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. can — a tin
  15. branch — of a tree
  16. can — a tin
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. spell — a short time
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. branch — a division
  21. firm — a company
  22. bound — tied together
  23. can — to be able to
  24. bear — to put up 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