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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 teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  9. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. prune — to trim
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. press — newspapers
  5. wave — a sudden rise
  6. firm — decided
  7. rush — hurry
  8. wave — with your hand
  9. wave — of the sea
  10. firm — steady
  11. press — to push
  12. bound — tied together
  13. foot — a measure
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. prune — to trim
  16. firm — a company
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. prune — the fruit
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. roll — a cake
  22. bound — certain
  23. press — a publisher
  24. bound — obliged

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