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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 kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  20. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. scale — in music
  3. press — newspapers
  4. scale — size or range
  5. can — a tin
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. shower — rain
  8. press — a publisher
  9. sharp — clever
  10. can — a tin
  11. shower — to wash
  12. can — to be able to
  13. fine — all right
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. fine — high quality
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. shower — a meteor shower
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. press — to push
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. racket — a loud noise

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