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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. deal — to handle
  3. key — in music
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. key — the most important part
  6. press — newspapers
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. press — a publisher
  9. press — to push
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. coach — pulled by horses
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. key — for a lock
  20. lie — to recline
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. jam — a tight spot

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