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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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 · bay · plane · hide · saw · stick · rush · rash

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. rash — a series
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. rash — hasty
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. press — newspapers
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. plane — a tool
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. saw — the tool
  14. press — to push
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. saw — the tool
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. rush — hurry
  24. press — a publisher

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