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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 120 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: cue · press · key · stand · wake · pass · bound · bear

  1. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. press — a publisher
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. key — the most important part
  5. bound — obliged
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. key — for a lock
  8. bear — the animal
  9. key — in music
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. cue — for pool
  12. press — newspapers
  13. cue — a signal
  14. bound — tied together
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. wake — a trail
  17. press — to push
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. pass — a permit
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. stand — to bear
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. bound — certain
  24. cue — a hint

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