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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. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sales talk
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. lie — to recline
  7. pitch — completely
  8. season — in sport
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. season — of the year
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. bound — certain
  15. rock — a stone
  16. bound — tied together
  17. pass — a permit
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. pitch — a sports field
  20. foot — a measure
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. bound — obliged
  23. rock — music
  24. temple — a place of worship

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