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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. face — part of the head
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. press — to push
  9. saw — the tool
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. face — to point toward
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. press — a publisher
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. face — to confront
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. saw — the tool
  24. saw — past of 'see'

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