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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. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. He was locked up in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cell — a phone
  2. current — happening now
  3. press — newspapers
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. press — to push
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. cell — in biology
  9. foot — a measure
  10. press — a publisher
  11. current — of water
  12. staff — employees
  13. rush — hurry
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. staff — employees
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. lie — to recline
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. staff — a stick
  23. current — electric
  24. cell — in a prison

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