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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 120 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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. bulb — for light
  3. suit — clothes
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. pitch — completely
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. deal — to handle
  8. present — there
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. key — the most important part
  11. foot — a measure
  12. bulb — for light
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. key — for a lock
  17. pitch — a sports field
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. key — in music
  20. present — a gift
  21. suit — in cards
  22. present — the time now
  23. lie — to recline
  24. lie — an untruth

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