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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: leaves · press · clip · bear · rush · mug · fine · cabinet

  1. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. clip — a video
  2. fine — high quality
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. mug — a cup
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. bear — to put up with
  8. press — newspapers
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. fine — all right
  12. mug — to rob
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. bear — the animal
  16. clip — to cut
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. bear — the animal
  19. press — a publisher
  20. press — to push
  21. clip — for paper
  22. mug — a face
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. rush — 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