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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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. cue — for pool
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. firm — a company
  11. pass — a permit
  12. firm — decided
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. press — to push
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. press — a publisher
  19. deal — to handle
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. cue — a hint
  22. cue — a signal
  23. firm — steady
  24. deal — an agreement

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