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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 116 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
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: suit · pop · fine · file · hide · band · press · saw

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  8. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  9. You don't need to ________________ round.
  10. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  20. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. pop — soda
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. suit — to fit
  5. saw — the tool
  6. suit — clothes
  7. file — a line of people
  8. band — a ring
  9. pop — to visit
  10. file — a tool
  11. press — to push
  12. pop — music
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. fine — all right
  16. saw — the tool
  17. band — a music group
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. band — a rubber band
  20. press — newspapers
  21. press — a publisher
  22. suit — in cards
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. fine — high quality

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