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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: rash · suit · press · bound · calf · drill · root · fan

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  7. Don't do anything ________________.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. bound — obliged
  3. rash — a series
  4. root — of a plant
  5. suit — in cards
  6. drill — army training
  7. rash — hasty
  8. drill — the tool
  9. drill — a practice
  10. bound — certain
  11. press — to push
  12. suit — to fit
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. suit — clothes
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. root — the cause
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. root — of a word
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. press — a publisher
  24. bound — tied together

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