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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 116 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. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. fan — to cool the air
  2. press — newspapers
  3. press — to push
  4. lie — to recline
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. pitch — completely
  7. cue — for pool
  8. current — happening now
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. cue — a hint
  14. press — a publisher
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. rush — hurry
  19. current — of water
  20. cue — a signal
  21. current — electric
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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