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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 120 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 were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  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. rock — a stone
  2. ball — a dance
  3. press — to push
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. press — newspapers
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. can — a tin
  9. plane — a tool
  10. season — of the year
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. can — a tin
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. rock — music
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. rash — a series
  17. ball — a great time
  18. season — in sport
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. rash — hasty
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. can — to be able to
  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