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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: press · cue · deal · rest · bore · wax · sharp · calf

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  3. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. rest — a break
  3. rest — what's left
  4. cue — a hint
  5. sharp — clever
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. rest — what's left
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. sharp — with an edge
  12. deal — to handle
  13. bore — to tire
  14. press — a publisher
  15. bore — to drill
  16. cue — for pool
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. press — to push
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. cue — a signal
  24. wax — to grow

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