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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. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Did you ________________ the button?
  8. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. press — newspapers
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. press — a publisher
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. press — to push
  8. prune — to trim
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. pass — a permit
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. key — for a lock
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. key — in music
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. key — the most important part
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. deal — to handle
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. prune — to trim

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