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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: firm · press · lash · safe · current · ball · stand · object

  1. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. press — to push
  5. press — a publisher
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. firm — steady
  8. stand — to bear
  9. ball — a dance
  10. object — a thing
  11. current — happening now
  12. ball — a great time
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. object — an aim
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. press — newspapers
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. object — to protest
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. firm — a company
  23. current — electric
  24. current — of water

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