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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.

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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: lean · board · toast · press · bay · bear · craft · leaves

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. bear — the animal
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. press — a publisher
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. lean — to bend
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. craft — boats
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. toast — bread
  17. board — a committee
  18. bear — the animal
  19. board — to get on
  20. press — to push
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. lean — thin
  24. craft — a skill

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