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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  12. Did you ________________ the button?
  13. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. press — a publisher
  4. can — a tin
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. bore — to tire
  7. can — a tin
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. bowl — a dish
  12. press — to push
  13. press — newspapers
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. can — to be able to
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. season — in sport
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. bore — to drill
  22. perch — the fish
  23. season — to add flavour
  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