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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.

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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: bulb · trunk · press · lie · leaves · current · mouse · fine

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. bulb — for light
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. press — newspapers
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. current — electric
  9. current — of water
  10. press — a publisher
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. fine — high quality
  14. current — happening now
  15. press — to push
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. bulb — for light
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. fine — all right
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. fine — a penalty

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