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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. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  14. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. press — to push
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. pass — a permit
  11. pitch — a sports field
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. press — newspapers
  14. cap — a hat
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. press — a publisher
  17. stand — to bear
  18. cap — of ice
  19. stock — shares
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. toast — bread
  22. stock — goods
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. cap — a lid

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