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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
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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: press · mate · bear · suit · wax · bowl · arm · mouse

  1. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. press — a publisher
  2. press — newspapers
  3. suit — in cards
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. bear — the animal
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. bear — the animal
  9. mate — a friend
  10. press — to push
  11. suit — clothes
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. mate — a partner
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. mate — to breed
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. suit — to fit
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. wax — to grow
  24. arm — part of the body

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