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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: stick · tube · press · lean · key · fan · pass · ground

  1. I'll be taking the ________________.
  2. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — the underground
  2. ground — crushed
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. ground — a position
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. lean — to bend
  11. lean — thin
  12. key — in music
  13. press — newspapers
  14. key — the most important part
  15. ground — the earth
  16. pass — a permit
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. key — for a lock
  21. tube — a container
  22. press — to push
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. press — a publisher

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