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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: trunk · arm · press · pass · current · rush · stand · drill

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. press — a publisher
  3. pass — a permit
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. drill — army training
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. stand — to bear
  9. current — of water
  10. press — newspapers
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. drill — the tool
  13. trunk — of a car
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. current — electric
  16. rush — hurry
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. press — to push
  22. drill — a practice
  23. current — happening now
  24. arm — part of the body

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