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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: leaves · object · can · lie · press · dip · rush · rash

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. press — a publisher
  3. rush — hurry
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. dip — to sink
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. object — to protest
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. can — a tin
  10. rash — hasty
  11. can — a tin
  12. object — a thing
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. press — to push
  15. object — an aim
  16. press — newspapers
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. lie — to recline
  21. rash — a series
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. can — to be able to
  24. dip — a sauce

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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