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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. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. When are we going to ________________?
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. land — a country
  2. mark — a grade
  3. press — newspapers
  4. bear — the animal
  5. hand — help
  6. bound — tied together
  7. mark — a trace
  8. hand — part of the body
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. land — to come down
  11. press — a publisher
  12. bear — the animal
  13. press — to push
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. cue — a signal
  16. land — ground
  17. bound — certain
  18. cue — a hint
  19. bound — obliged
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. cue — for pool
  22. hand — in cards
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. fan — a supporter

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