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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: last · leaves · bank · object · suit · lie · safe · press

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. False peace will not ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. last — final
  6. press — to push
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. press — newspapers
  9. bank — for money
  10. suit — to fit
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. object — a thing
  13. bank — of a river
  14. press — a publisher
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. suit — in cards
  17. object — to protest
  18. last — finally
  19. suit — clothes
  20. last — to go on
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. object — an aim
  24. lie — to recline

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