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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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. We're almost out of ________________.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  20. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. press — newspapers
  4. press — to push
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. branch — a division
  11. squash — the vegetable
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. pop — to visit
  16. pop — soda
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. squash — the sport
  20. squash — to crush
  21. mark — a grade
  22. press — a publisher
  23. mark — a trace
  24. pop — music

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