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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. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. shower — rain
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. face — to point toward
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. charge — a price
  8. bulb — for light
  9. charge — in control
  10. firm — a company
  11. press — to push
  12. firm — decided
  13. shower — a meteor shower
  14. charge — electricity
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. shower — to wash
  17. bore — to tire
  18. face — part of the head
  19. bore — to drill
  20. bulb — for light
  21. face — to confront
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. firm — steady
  24. press — a publisher

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