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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  5. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. He is an ace ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. pitch — a sales talk
  3. key — the most important part
  4. pound — for dogs
  5. pitch — a sports field
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. pitcher — in baseball
  8. key — for a lock
  9. pass — a permit
  10. pound — to hit hard
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. pound — a weight
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. key — in music
  18. stand — to bear
  19. pitch — completely
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. leaves — lets stay

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