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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.

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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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. shower — rain
  4. foot — a measure
  5. shower — a meteor shower
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. suit — in cards
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. pitch — completely
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. shower — to wash
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. mark — a grade
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. pass — a permit
  21. mark — a trace
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. suit — clothes

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