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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. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. bear — the animal
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. snap — to snap out of it
  8. press — to push
  9. press — newspapers
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. bass — low music
  13. bass — the fish
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. press — a publisher
  18. dip — to sink
  19. snap — to speak sharply
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. snap — to click

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