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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 120 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: squash · pass · press · season · bore · arm · cue · ruler

  1. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  10. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. cue — for pool
  6. pass — a permit
  7. bore — to tire
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. squash — to crush
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. bore — to drill
  13. season — of the year
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. cue — a signal
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. cue — a hint
  19. press — newspapers
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. press — a publisher
  22. press — to push
  23. squash — the sport
  24. season — in sport

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