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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. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. You don't need to ________________ round.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sports field
  2. pop — soda
  3. charge — electricity
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. staff — a stick
  6. cue — for pool
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. staff — employees
  9. toast — bread
  10. pitch — a sales talk
  11. cue — a signal
  12. charge — a price
  13. pitch — completely
  14. cue — a hint
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. stand — to bear
  17. staff — employees
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. ball — a great time
  20. pop — music
  21. pop — to visit
  22. ball — a dance
  23. charge — in control
  24. toast — the most admired

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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