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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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. There's no middle ________________.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  20. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  21. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  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. press — newspapers
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. charge — in control
  4. rush — hurry
  5. wound — past of 'wind'
  6. charge — a price
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. press — a publisher
  9. pass — a permit
  10. key — the most important part
  11. lie — to recline
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. wound — an injury
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. key — in music
  16. ground — a position
  17. charge — electricity
  18. press — to push
  19. wound — an injury
  20. ground — the earth
  21. ground — crushed
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. lie — an untruth
  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