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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: net · deal · saw · suit · press · vault · shower · toast

  1. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  9. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. He works in a ________________ mill.
  15. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — rain
  2. press — newspapers
  3. suit — to fit
  4. suit — clothes
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. vault — a safe
  9. vault — an arched ceiling
  10. deal — to handle
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. net — after costs
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. saw — the tool
  15. shower — to wash
  16. toast — bread
  17. net — in sport
  18. press — a publisher
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. press — to push
  21. saw — the tool
  22. suit — in cards
  23. shower — a meteor shower
  24. net — for catching

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