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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: stand · tube · spell · arm · wave · staff · press · cabinet

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. spell — magic
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. staff — a stick
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. staff — employees
  10. press — newspapers
  11. tube — a container
  12. staff — employees
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. tube — the underground
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. press — to push
  17. spell — letters
  18. press — a publisher
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. wave — a sudden rise
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. stand — to bear
  24. stand — on your feet

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