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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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. season — of the year
  4. lean — to bend
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. track — a path
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. press — to push
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. track — to keep track
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. deal — to handle
  15. ball — a great time
  16. track — a song
  17. season — in sport
  18. ball — a dance
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. lie — to recline
  22. lean — thin
  23. ball — a round shape
  24. press — a publisher

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