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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
YesNo
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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: suit · temple · safe · calf · rock · stand · season · press

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. suit — clothes
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. season — in sport
  5. press — a publisher
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. press — to push
  11. rock — a stone
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. rock — music
  14. press — newspapers
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. suit — in cards
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. stand — to bear
  20. suit — to fit
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. season — of the year
  23. season — to add flavour
  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