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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: press · pass · staff · jam · leaves · bore · season · pop

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. We're almost out of ________________.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. season — in sport
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. staff — employees
  6. press — newspapers
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. press — to push
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. pop — soda
  13. bore — to tire
  14. season — of the year
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. press — a publisher
  17. bore — to drill
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. pass — a permit
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. staff — a stick
  22. pop — music
  23. pop — to visit
  24. staff — employees

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