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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  14. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. straw — dry grass
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. press — newspapers
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. row — a quarrel
  10. bank — for money
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. firm — steady
  13. straw — to clutch at straws
  14. straw — a straw man
  15. press — to push
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. row — to paddle
  19. bank — of a river
  20. row — a line
  21. press — a publisher
  22. firm — a company
  23. rush — hurry
  24. firm — decided

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