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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.

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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: lean · safe · toast · mug · roll · wax · press · object

  1. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  15. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wax — in the ear
  2. press — newspapers
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. toast — bread
  5. lean — to bend
  6. object — an aim
  7. mug — to rob
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. press — a publisher
  10. wax — to grow
  11. object — a thing
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. roll — a list
  15. lean — thin
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. object — to protest
  19. mug — a face
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. press — to push
  22. roll — a cake
  23. wax — for sculpting
  24. mug — a cup

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