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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. root — of a word
  3. bank — for money
  4. press — newspapers
  5. bank — of a river
  6. lean — thin
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. can — a tin
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. toast — bread
  11. fine — high quality
  12. bank — for money
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. fine — all right
  15. can — to be able to
  16. press — a publisher
  17. lean — to bend
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. press — to push
  20. root — of a plant
  21. root — the cause
  22. lie — to recline
  23. can — a tin
  24. lean — to rest against

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