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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. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. Did you ________________ the meat?
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The ________________ market has crashed.
  7. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. False peace will not ________________.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. season — to add flavour
  3. press — newspapers
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. stock — shares
  7. last — finally
  8. press — to push
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. last — final
  13. press — a publisher
  14. last — to go on
  15. rock — a stone
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. season — of the year
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. rush — hurry
  23. rock — music
  24. stock — goods

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