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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. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. press — newspapers
  3. key — the most important part
  4. bore — to drill
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. press — a publisher
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. rest — a break
  9. plane — a tool
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. bore — to tire
  13. rest — what's left
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. key — in music
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. rush — hurry
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. press — to push
  23. rest — what's left
  24. key — for a lock

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