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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. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. wax — in the ear
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. press — a publisher
  5. plane — a tool
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. press — to push
  9. mug — to rob
  10. press — newspapers
  11. stand — to bear
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. mug — a face
  18. wax — to grow
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. mug — a cup
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. fan — a supporter

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