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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. press — newspapers
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. mug — to rob
  7. mug — a face
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. mug — a cup
  11. net — in sport
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. press — to push
  15. press — a publisher
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. season — of the year
  18. season — in sport
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. net — for catching
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. net — after costs
  24. arm — part of the body

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