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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  7. There's no middle ________________.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. ground — the earth
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. hand — help
  7. ground — a position
  8. press — newspapers
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. bulb — for light
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. bulb — for light
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. press — to push
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. hand — in cards
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. hand — part of the body
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. stand — to bear
  22. press — a publisher
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. ground — crushed

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