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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: leaves · safe · tube · land · current · press · perch · lie

  1. I'll be taking the ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. When are we going to ________________?
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — the underground
  2. press — newspapers
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. lie — to recline
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. land — ground
  9. perch — the fish
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. current — of water
  12. tube — a container
  13. land — to come down
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. press — to push
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. current — happening now
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. current — electric
  22. land — a country
  23. press — a publisher
  24. safe — out of danger

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