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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 · stick · scale · pitcher · fine · wax · object · can

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  23. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. can — to be able to
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. scale — size or range
  5. stick — to attach or keep to
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. fine — all right
  8. press — to push
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. object — to protest
  12. press — newspapers
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. can — a tin
  15. object — an aim
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. press — a publisher
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. wax — to grow
  20. can — a tin
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. scale — for weighing
  23. scale — in music
  24. fine — high quality

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