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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: file · press · mug · craft · bound · current · ball · trunk

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  12. That was ________________ to happen.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. craft — a skill
  3. mug — a cup
  4. file — a line of people
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. current — of water
  8. current — happening now
  9. bound — obliged
  10. ball — a dance
  11. craft — a handicraft
  12. bound — certain
  13. press — a publisher
  14. file — a document
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. press — to push
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. craft — boats
  19. bound — tied together
  20. current — electric
  21. file — a tool
  22. ball — a great time
  23. mug — to rob
  24. mug — a face

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