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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: file · dip · press · toast · drill · branch · deal · mug

  1. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — a big deal
  2. drill — army training
  3. file — a document
  4. file — a tool
  5. press — newspapers
  6. press — a publisher
  7. mug — a face
  8. deal — to handle
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. drill — a practice
  11. mug — to rob
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. file — a line of people
  15. drill — the tool
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. dip — to sink
  18. branch — a division
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. press — to push
  21. mug — a cup
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. toast — bread
  24. deal — an agreement

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