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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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. She's sitting on a gold ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. stand — to bear
  5. pitch — completely
  6. firm — decided
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. pitch — a sales talk
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. mark — a trace
  11. bore — to tire
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. firm — steady
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. firm — a company
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. rock — a stone
  20. bore — to drill
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. mine — an explosive
  23. rock — music
  24. mine — for digging

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