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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: press · fan · deal · pitch · calf · mug · branch · firm

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  8. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. pitch — completely
  4. pitch — a sales talk
  5. firm — steady
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. pitch — a sports field
  8. branch — of a bank
  9. press — a publisher
  10. firm — decided
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. firm — a company
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. mug — a cup
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. branch — a division
  20. deal — to handle
  21. press — to push
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. mug — to rob
  24. mug — a face

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