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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.

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: temple · season · pound · can · safe · press · perch · craft

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  8. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. season — in sport
  3. pound — to hit hard
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. craft — boats
  6. can — a tin
  7. pound — for dogs
  8. pound — a weight
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. can — a tin
  11. craft — a skill
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. craft — a handicraft
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. press — a publisher
  20. can — to be able to
  21. perch — the fish
  22. press — to push
  23. season — of the year
  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