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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: root · mug · can · press · suit · racket · lash · bay

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. press — to push
  3. press — newspapers
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. mug — a cup
  6. suit — clothes
  7. can — to be able to
  8. root — of a word
  9. suit — in cards
  10. mug — a face
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. mug — to rob
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. root — the cause
  15. root — of a plant
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. racket — a loud noise
  18. press — a publisher
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. can — a tin
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. can — a tin
  24. bay — a horse colour

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