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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. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  20. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  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. nail — on a finger
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. season — of the year
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. press — newspapers
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. stand — to bear
  12. mate — a partner
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. season — in sport
  15. press — to push
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. lean — thin
  20. mate — to breed
  21. lean — to bend
  22. mate — a friend
  23. lash — an eyelash
  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