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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.

Make a worksheet

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: hide · safe · pass · prune · cue · press · fan · mine

  1. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. She's sitting on a gold ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. press — a publisher
  2. press — newspapers
  3. mine — belonging to me
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. cue — a hint
  7. prune — to trim
  8. pass — a permit
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. cue — for pool
  13. press — to push
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. prune — the fruit
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. prune — to trim
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. mine — an explosive
  23. cue — a signal
  24. mine — for digging

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