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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. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  24. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — music
  2. mark — a grade
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. content — videos and posts
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. mark — a trace
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. rock — a stone
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. press — newspapers
  13. current — of water
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. current — happening now
  16. pass — a permit
  17. content — happy
  18. press — a publisher
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. current — electric
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. content — the amount
  24. press — to push

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