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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: bass · stem · bay · key · rock · press · season · bore

  1. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  3. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. Did you ________________ the button?
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  19. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. stem — of a plant
  3. bass — low music
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. rock — a stone
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. press — to push
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. key — the most important part
  10. bore — to tire
  11. key — in music
  12. key — for a lock
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. season — of the year
  16. season — in sport
  17. bore — to drill
  18. bay — to keep at bay
  19. stem — to come from
  20. rock — music
  21. press — newspapers
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. bass — the instrument
  24. press — a publisher

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