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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: root · board · cabinet · fan · face · pitch · leaves · press

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  22. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. fan — to cool the air
  3. board — to get on
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. pitch — a sports field
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. press — a publisher
  8. root — of a word
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. root — the cause
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. board — a committee
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. press — to push
  16. face — part of the head
  17. pitch — completely
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. root — of a plant
  22. face — to confront
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. face — to point toward

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