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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 ________________ took off on time.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  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. plane — an aircraft
  2. current — of water
  3. press — newspapers
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. lean — to bend
  6. press — to push
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. plane — a tool
  9. cue — a hint
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. mug — a face
  12. mug — a cup
  13. current — electric
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. prune — to trim
  16. prune — to trim
  17. mug — to rob
  18. lean — thin
  19. cue — for pool
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. current — happening now
  22. prune — the fruit
  23. cue — a signal
  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