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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. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. It's one o'clock ________________.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  22. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  23. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — a meteor shower
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. sharp — exactly
  4. press — to push
  5. mark — a trace
  6. mark — a grade
  7. shower — rain
  8. bound — certain
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. press — a publisher
  12. bound — obliged
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. stand — to bear
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. bound — tied together
  20. deal — to handle
  21. press — newspapers
  22. shower — to wash
  23. sharp — clever
  24. deal — an agreement

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