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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. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. bowl — to roll
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. bowl — a dish
  4. stand — to bear
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. press — newspapers
  11. press — a publisher
  12. arm — a part of something
  13. suit — clothes
  14. press — to push
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. suit — in cards
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. suit — to fit

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