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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. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  2. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  3. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  4. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. Have you settled on a ________________?
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. race — a contest
  2. race — humankind
  3. race — the arms race
  4. date — the fruit
  5. pitch — completely
  6. suit — in cards
  7. suit — to fit
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. pitch — a sports field
  11. pass — a permit
  12. current — electric
  13. current — of water
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. mark — a grade
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. lie — to recline
  18. mark — a trace
  19. current — happening now
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. suit — clothes

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