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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. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  12. Did you ________________ the button?
  13. The ________________ market has crashed.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. press — newspapers
  3. stock — a soup base
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. fine — high quality
  6. key — the most important part
  7. board — to get on
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. key — in music
  10. press — a publisher
  11. board — a committee
  12. press — to push
  13. stock — shares
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. can — a tin
  18. can — a tin
  19. can — to be able to
  20. key — for a lock
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. stock — goods
  24. bay — a horse colour

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