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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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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  15. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. lie — to recline
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. can — a tin
  6. press — a publisher
  7. chip — for betting
  8. object — an aim
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. chip — to eat
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. wound — past of 'wind'
  15. press — newspapers
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. wound — an injury
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. wound — an injury
  20. object — a thing
  21. press — to push
  22. object — to protest
  23. can — a tin
  24. can — to be able to

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