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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I can't ________________ this cold.
  2. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — to bear
  2. bat — in an idiom
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. rock — a stone
  5. rock — music
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. pitch — completely
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. bat — the animal
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. cue — for pool
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. bat — for baseball
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. cue — a hint
  20. toast — bread
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. cue — a signal
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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