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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: current · suit · ground · temple · pass · safe · press · cabinet

  1. There's no middle ________________.
  2. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — a position
  2. press — a publisher
  3. current — happening now
  4. current — electric
  5. pass — a permit
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. suit — to fit
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. suit — clothes
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. ground — the earth
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. press — to push
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. ground — crushed
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. suit — in cards
  22. current — of water
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. press — newspapers

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