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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's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  16. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  17. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sales talk
  2. pass — a permit
  3. pitch — a sports field
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. toast — bread
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. bear — the animal
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. craft — a skill
  16. pitch — completely
  17. craft — a handicraft
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. craft — boats
  20. bear — the animal
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. ruler — for measuring

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