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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. prune — to trim
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. can — to be able to
  5. press — a publisher
  6. can — a tin
  7. ball — a great time
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. press — newspapers
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. cue — a hint
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. ball — a dance
  14. rush — hurry
  15. cue — a signal
  16. cue — for pool
  17. prune — to trim
  18. press — to push
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. can — a tin
  21. prune — the fruit
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. pass — a permit
  24. ball — a round shape

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