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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 120 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 usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. The ________________ market has crashed.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — to eat with
  2. press — newspapers
  3. stock — shares
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. current — of water
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. current — happening now
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. mug — a face
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. press — a publisher
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. press — to push
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. stock — goods
  17. rush — hurry
  18. mug — to rob
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. mug — a cup
  22. current — electric
  23. fork — in a road
  24. fork — a garden tool

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