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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: board · staff · press · plane · bulb · foot · pitcher · toast

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. He is an ace ________________.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. bulb — for light
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. plane — a tool
  5. pitcher — in baseball
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. staff — a stick
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. board — to get on
  10. staff — employees
  11. toast — bread
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. foot — a measure
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. board — a committee
  17. press — a publisher
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. press — to push
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. staff — employees
  24. bulb — for light

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