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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. I can't ________________ this cold.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. stand — to bear
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. pitch — a sales talk
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. pit — a hole
  9. press — newspapers
  10. pitch — completely
  11. toast — bread
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. bulb — for light
  14. press — a publisher
  15. pit — in a race
  16. rest — what's left
  17. rest — a break
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. rest — what's left
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. press — to push
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. bulb — for light

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