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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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. content — the amount
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. content — videos and posts
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. charge — in control
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. prune — the fruit
  11. rock — music
  12. prune — to trim
  13. mark — a trace
  14. rock — a stone
  15. prune — to trim
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. press — newspapers
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. charge — a price
  20. charge — electricity
  21. press — to push
  22. content — happy
  23. vault — a safe
  24. press — a publisher

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