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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: jam · pop · rock · arm · rush · cabinet · board · press

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. We're almost out of ________________.
  18. You don't need to ________________ round.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. press — to push
  5. rock — a stone
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. board — to get on
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. pop — music
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. board — a committee
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. pop — soda
  18. pop — to visit
  19. rush — hurry
  20. press — a publisher
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. rock — music
  24. rush — to hurry

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