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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.

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
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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: pass · rest · press · can · lie · fan · file · safe

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  3. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. file — a line of people
  3. rest — what's left
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. rest — what's left
  6. press — a publisher
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. press — to push
  12. rest — a break
  13. pass — a permit
  14. can — a tin
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. press — newspapers
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. can — to be able to
  21. file — a document
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. lie — to recline
  24. file — a tool

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