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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: stand · mouse · straw · press · bank · roll · stock · safe

  1. I can't ________________ this cold.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. We're on a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — to bear
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. straw — dry grass
  4. bank — for money
  5. press — a publisher
  6. roll — a list
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. straw — to clutch at straws
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. press — newspapers
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. bank — of a river
  15. straw — a straw man
  16. bank — for money
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. press — to push
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. stock — shares
  22. roll — a cake
  23. stock — goods
  24. roll — on a roll

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