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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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. How do you ________________ your surname?
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. spell — a short time
  3. suit — to fit
  4. spell — letters
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. suit — clothes
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. deal — to handle
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. pass — a permit
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. mug — a cup
  15. plane — a tool
  16. suit — in cards
  17. press — to push
  18. press — newspapers
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. mug — to rob
  22. press — a publisher
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. spell — magic

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