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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. press — newspapers
  3. bound — certain
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. mug — to rob
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. press — a publisher
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. season — in sport
  13. bound — obliged
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. bound — tied together
  16. bat — for baseball
  17. chip — for betting
  18. bat — the animal
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. bat — in an idiom
  21. press — to push
  22. chip — to eat
  23. mug — a face
  24. season — of the year

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