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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. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  2. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. False peace will not ________________.
  8. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  9. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. The ________________ market has crashed.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. race — the arms race
  2. race — humankind
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. press — newspapers
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. last — to go on
  8. last — final
  9. stock — goods
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. can — a tin
  12. can — a tin
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. stock — shares
  16. press — a publisher
  17. race — a contest
  18. can — to be able to
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. last — finally
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. press — to push
  24. calf — a young animal

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