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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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Word bank
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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: stock · roll · nail · safe · wound · bay · key · press

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. We're on a ________________ here.
  18. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  19. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. wound — an injury
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. press — to push
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. stock — shares
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. stock — goods
  11. key — in music
  12. wound — past of 'wind'
  13. key — the most important part
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. key — for a lock
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. roll — on a roll
  18. stock — a soup base
  19. wound — an injury
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. roll — a list
  22. roll — a cake
  23. press — a publisher
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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