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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. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  8. My father caught me by the ________________.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — to come from
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. press — a publisher
  4. bore — to drill
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. press — newspapers
  7. stem — a stem cell
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. key — for a lock
  15. toast — bread
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. stem — of a plant
  20. key — the most important part
  21. bore — to tire
  22. press — to push
  23. key — in music
  24. foot — a measure

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