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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 116 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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  12. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. dip — to sink
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. ball — a great time
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. can — a tin
  8. ball — a dance
  9. can — a tin
  10. net — for catching
  11. pitch — completely
  12. net — after costs
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. stand — to bear
  15. prune — to trim
  16. prune — to trim
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. net — in sport
  20. pass — a permit
  21. can — to be able to
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. stand — on your feet

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