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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: current · mate · foot · jam · lie · pit · press · lash

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. current — happening now
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. mate — to breed
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. press — newspapers
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. press — to push
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. pit — in a race
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. current — of water
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. press — a publisher
  19. foot — a measure
  20. pit — a hole
  21. mate — a partner
  22. mate — a friend
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. current — electric

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