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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. Did you ________________ the button?
  13. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. squash — the sport
  4. drill — a practice
  5. lie — to recline
  6. drill — army training
  7. press — a publisher
  8. mate — a friend
  9. track — a path
  10. can — a tin
  11. track — to keep track
  12. press — to push
  13. drill — the tool
  14. bank — for money
  15. squash — to crush
  16. can — to be able to
  17. can — a tin
  18. mate — to breed
  19. bank — for money
  20. bank — of a river
  21. squash — the vegetable
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. track — a song
  24. mate — a partner

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