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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 116 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: fine · cabinet · press · ruler · can · ball · bulb · tear

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  12. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. press — a publisher
  8. can — a tin
  9. fine — all right
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. tear — to rip
  12. tear — from crying
  13. press — to push
  14. press — newspapers
  15. bulb — for light
  16. tear — from crying
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. bulb — for light
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. fine — high quality
  21. ball — a dance
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. ball — a great time
  24. can — to be able to

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