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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 · mate · bulb · safe · press · dip · shower · bowl

  1. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to dunk
  2. bulb — for light
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. press — to push
  5. press — newspapers
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. shower — rain
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. shower — to wash
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. mate — a partner
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. press — a publisher
  16. mate — a friend
  17. mate — to breed
  18. shower — a meteor shower
  19. stand — to bear
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bulb — for light
  24. dip — to sink

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