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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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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. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  2. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  16. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. press — a publisher
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. rest — what's left
  5. rest — what's left
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. mine — belonging to me
  11. toast — bread
  12. mine — an explosive
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. press — newspapers
  16. mine — for digging
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. press — to push
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. rest — a break
  24. leaves — to go away

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