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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: snap · tube · can · cap · suit · ruler · net · press

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. suit — clothes
  3. net — in sport
  4. suit — in cards
  5. cap — a hat
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. suit — to fit
  8. cap — of ice
  9. net — after costs
  10. tube — the underground
  11. press — newspapers
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. can — a tin
  14. cap — a lid
  15. net — for catching
  16. tube — a container
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. can — to be able to
  19. can — a tin
  20. snap — to snap out of it
  21. press — a publisher
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. press — to push
  24. snap — to click

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