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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: toast · arm · charge · jam · mark · press · file · stick

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. file — a document
  3. charge — electricity
  4. press — a publisher
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. press — newspapers
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. mark — a grade
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. charge — in control
  12. file — a tool
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. toast — bread
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. press — to push
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. charge — a price
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. file — a line of people

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