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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.

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: lean · bay · charge · temple · suit · cabinet · press · net

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. What was your ________________ profit last year?

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. suit — to fit
  7. suit — in cards
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. net — for catching
  12. net — in sport
  13. charge — a price
  14. press — a publisher
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. lean — to bend
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. press — newspapers
  19. charge — electricity
  20. lean — thin
  21. charge — in control
  22. press — to push
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. net — after costs

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