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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: plane · press · mug · coach · content · bore · ground · safe

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. There's no middle ________________.
  12. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  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. mug — a face
  3. bore — to drill
  4. mug — a cup
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. content — videos and posts
  7. mug — to rob
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. press — a publisher
  11. ground — a position
  12. content — happy
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. content — the amount
  15. bore — to tire
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. ground — the earth
  18. press — to push
  19. ground — crushed
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. plane — a tool
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  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