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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.

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: coach · hide · temple · charge · press · cabinet · can · deal

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. charge — electricity
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. can — a tin
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. charge — in control
  11. press — newspapers
  12. press — a publisher
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. can — a tin
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. can — to be able to
  17. charge — a price
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. press — to push
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. deal — to handle
  24. coach — a trainer

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