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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.

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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: press · bank · lash · safe · wave · pass · sharp · wax

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. It's one o'clock ________________.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. bank — for money
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. wave — with your hand
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. sharp — clever
  10. bank — for money
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. sharp — exactly
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. sharp — with an edge
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. pass — a permit
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. bank — of a river
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. press — a publisher
  22. press — to push
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. wax — to grow

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