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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. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. press — newspapers
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. can — a tin
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. bat — for baseball
  8. press — a publisher
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. suit — in cards
  11. can — a tin
  12. bat — in an idiom
  13. mug — to rob
  14. fine — high quality
  15. suit — clothes
  16. bat — the animal
  17. mark — a trace
  18. mug — a cup
  19. mark — a grade
  20. suit — to fit
  21. can — to be able to
  22. mug — a face
  23. press — to push
  24. pitcher — a jug

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