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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.

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: safe · stick · key · can · net · row · stand · press

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. I had a ________________ with my boss today.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. can — a tin
  3. stand — to bear
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. press — to push
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. can — to be able to
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. row — to paddle
  12. net — for catching
  13. net — after costs
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. key — the most important part
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. row — a line
  18. key — for a lock
  19. press — a publisher
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. can — a tin
  22. net — in sport
  23. key — in music
  24. row — a quarrel

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