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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 120 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. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. Did you ________________ the meat?
  6. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  7. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  8. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  13. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  18. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. capital — a big letter
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. face — to confront
  4. press — newspapers
  5. season — to add flavour
  6. capital — money
  7. face — part of the head
  8. drill — army training
  9. drill — a practice
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. sharp — clever
  13. sharp — with an edge
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. face — to point toward
  16. press — to push
  17. capital — a city
  18. drill — the tool
  19. season — of the year
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. press — a publisher
  23. season — in sport
  24. leaves — lets stay

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