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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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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: coach · file · fine · clip · bound · press · pass · can

  1. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  20. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. Hold the papers together with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a line of people
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. can — a tin
  4. can — to be able to
  5. fine — all right
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. press — newspapers
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. file — a document
  10. pass — a permit
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. clip — to cut
  13. can — a tin
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. bound — tied together
  16. bound — obliged
  17. press — to push
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. clip — a video
  20. file — a tool
  21. press — a publisher
  22. bound — certain
  23. fine — high quality
  24. clip — for paper

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