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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 116 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. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. press — a publisher
  2. content — the amount
  3. rest — what's left
  4. content — videos and posts
  5. rest — a break
  6. press — newspapers
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. suit — in cards
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. rest — what's left
  11. press — to push
  12. suit — clothes
  13. mate — a partner
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. mate — a friend
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. suit — to fit
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. content — happy
  23. mate — to breed
  24. mouse — for a computer

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