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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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: mate · lash · press · safe · perch · key · saw · row

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. press — newspapers
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. saw — the tool
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. key — for a lock
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. mate — a friend
  10. row — a line
  11. key — in music
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. row — a quarrel
  14. mate — to breed
  15. mate — a partner
  16. press — to push
  17. perch — the fish
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. key — the most important part
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. saw — the tool
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. press — a publisher

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