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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: bowl · prune · jam · rest · board · nail · press · safe

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  3. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. prune — the fruit
  3. rest — a break
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. press — a publisher
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. press — to push
  10. rest — what's left
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. rest — what's left
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. prune — to trim
  15. prune — to trim
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. board — a committee
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. board — to get on
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. safe — out of danger

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