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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.

Make a worksheet

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: last · toast · press · suit · trunk · staff · charge · rest

  1. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  17. False peace will not ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. charge — a price
  3. suit — clothes
  4. toast — bread
  5. press — to push
  6. press — newspapers
  7. charge — in control
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. rest — a break
  10. staff — a stick
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. rest — what's left
  13. suit — to fit
  14. rest — what's left
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. trunk — of a tree
  17. last — to go on
  18. press — a publisher
  19. suit — in cards
  20. charge — electricity
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. staff — employees
  23. last — finally
  24. last — final

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