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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 120 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: rock · track · fine · foot · rush · straw · press · snap

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. rock — a stone
  3. track — to keep track
  4. press — newspapers
  5. track — a song
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. straw — a straw man
  9. rock — music
  10. fine — all right
  11. track — a path
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. press — a publisher
  14. straw — to clutch at straws
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. snap — to snap out of it
  17. foot — a measure
  18. rush — hurry
  19. snap — to click
  20. press — to push
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. fine — high quality
  24. straw — dry grass

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