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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: roll · press · mouse · bulb · rush · key · fan · suit

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. We're on a ________________ here.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. press — newspapers
  3. press — a publisher
  4. roll — a cake
  5. key — the most important part
  6. bulb — for light
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. suit — in cards
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. press — to push
  14. roll — on a roll
  15. suit — clothes
  16. rush — hurry
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. key — for a lock
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. key — in music
  23. roll — a list
  24. bulb — for light

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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