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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 room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  7. We're on a ________________ here.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  19. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  24. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. suit — to fit
  4. press — to push
  5. suit — clothes
  6. roll — a cake
  7. roll — on a roll
  8. press — newspapers
  9. scale — size or range
  10. track — a path
  11. pass — a permit
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. track — to keep track
  14. track — a song
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. press — a publisher
  18. scale — in music
  19. roll — a list
  20. suit — in cards
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. pitch — a sports field
  24. pitch — a sales talk

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