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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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. track — a path
  4. press — to push
  5. stick — to attach or keep to
  6. press — a publisher
  7. suit — to fit
  8. track — to keep track
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. can — to be able to
  11. can — a tin
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. track — a song
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. prune — to trim
  16. suit — in cards
  17. prune — to trim
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. branch — of a bank
  20. branch — a division
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. can — a tin
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. suit — clothes

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