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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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. mate — a friend
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. lie — to recline
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. suit — in cards
  12. mate — a partner
  13. ball — a great time
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. ball — a dance
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. press — to push
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. mate — to breed
  20. suit — clothes
  21. press — a publisher
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. suit — to fit
  24. calf — of the leg

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