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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.

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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: snap · pass · hide · rock · mate · press · key · saw

  1. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  5. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. Have you found your soul ________________?
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. snap — to snap out of it
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. key — in music
  4. snap — to speak sharply
  5. mate — to breed
  6. press — newspapers
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. key — the most important part
  9. mate — a partner
  10. pass — a permit
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. rock — a stone
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. rock — music
  15. key — for a lock
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. saw — the tool
  18. mate — a friend
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. press — to push
  22. saw — the tool
  23. press — a publisher
  24. snap — to click

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