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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.

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: march · press · fine · safe · ruler · court · chip · bulb

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  3. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  4. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. The ball is in your ________________.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. march — the month
  3. court — of law
  4. march — music
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. press — to push
  10. court — of a king
  11. bulb — for light
  12. march — the month
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. fine — high quality
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bulb — for light
  18. chip — to eat
  19. chip — for betting
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. court — for sport
  23. press — a publisher
  24. fine — all right

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