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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 116 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: can · mark · leaves · bass · press · safe · coach · bark

  1. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  7. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. can — to be able to
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. can — a tin
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. bark — a dog's sound
  7. bark — of a tree
  8. can — a tin
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. mark — a grade
  15. press — to push
  16. press — newspapers
  17. mark — a trace
  18. bass — low music
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. press — a publisher
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. bark — to shout

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