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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. There's no middle ________________.
  3. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  4. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  5. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  6. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  13. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  19. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  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. safe — out of danger
  2. ground — a position
  3. pitch — a sales talk
  4. ground — the earth
  5. pitch — a sports field
  6. club — for dancing
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. pitch — completely
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. mark — a grade
  12. club — for golf
  13. ground — crushed
  14. mark — a trace
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. tube — a container
  17. suit — in cards
  18. club — a group
  19. tube — in a tire
  20. tube — the underground
  21. suit — to fit
  22. rush — hurry
  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