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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. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  13. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  16. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. deal — to handle
  3. press — newspapers
  4. snap — to speak sharply
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. press — a publisher
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. pound — for dogs
  13. march — music
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. pound — a weight
  16. march — the month
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. snap — to snap out of it
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. press — to push
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. snap — to click
  23. pound — to hit hard
  24. temple — a place of worship

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