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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: safe · press · ball · track · fine · bowl · cabinet · rash

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. ball — a great time
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. rash — a series
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. fine — all right
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. track — a path
  13. track — to keep track
  14. press — a publisher
  15. press — to push
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. press — newspapers
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. rash — hasty
  21. ball — a dance
  22. fine — high quality
  23. track — a song
  24. fine — a penalty

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