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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.

Make a worksheet

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: mug · bass · content · face · press · foot · ruler · suit

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  13. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. face — to point toward
  3. suit — in cards
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. press — newspapers
  6. bass — the instrument
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. press — to push
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. mug — a face
  12. face — to confront
  13. content — videos and posts
  14. mug — a cup
  15. face — part of the head
  16. bass — the fish
  17. suit — to fit
  18. foot — a measure
  19. press — a publisher
  20. content — the amount
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. bass — low music
  23. mug — to rob
  24. content — happy

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