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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. Did you ________________ the button?
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. We're on a ________________ here.
  13. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  14. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. press — to push
  2. press — newspapers
  3. face — part of the head
  4. pitch — a sales talk
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. suit — in cards
  7. hand — help
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. pitch — completely
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. roll — on a roll
  13. face — to confront
  14. hand — in cards
  15. face — to point toward
  16. press — a publisher
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. hand — part of the body
  19. suit — clothes
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. roll — a list
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. suit — to fit
  24. roll — a cake

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