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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.

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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: nail · bulb · board · safe · wax · staff · mug · press

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  20. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. bulb — for light
  6. mug — to rob
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. board — a committee
  11. press — to push
  12. mug — a cup
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. staff — employees
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. staff — employees
  19. press — newspapers
  20. wax — to grow
  21. bulb — for light
  22. staff — a stick
  23. press — a publisher
  24. board — to get on

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