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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. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  7. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  8. You don't need to ________________ round.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. We're almost out of ________________.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. suit — to fit
  3. rush — hurry
  4. rest — what's left
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. vault — in gymnastics
  7. pitch — a sports field
  8. pop — to visit
  9. suit — in cards
  10. rest — what's left
  11. bore — to tire
  12. deal — to handle
  13. pop — music
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. suit — clothes
  16. vault — a safe
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. pop — soda
  22. rest — a break
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. bore — to drill

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