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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: leaves · stand · pop · bulb · press · rock · key · kick

  1. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  24. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. key — for a lock
  4. kick — in football
  5. pop — to visit
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. kick — with a leg
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bulb — for light
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. key — the most important part
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. stand — to bear
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. kick — a thrill
  18. press — a publisher
  19. press — to push
  20. rock — a stone
  21. rock — music
  22. key — in music
  23. pop — music
  24. press — newspapers

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