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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.

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: leaves · racket · jam · mouse · press · safe · cue · arm

  1. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — a loud noise
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. press — newspapers
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. press — to push
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. cue — a signal
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. press — a publisher
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. cue — a hint
  22. cue — for pool
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. leaves — lets stay

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