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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. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  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. rush — hurry
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. pass — a permit
  4. cue — for pool
  5. cue — a hint
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. pitch — a sales talk
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. season — in sport
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. cue — a signal
  17. suit — in cards
  18. pitch — completely
  19. season — of the year
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. suit — clothes
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. suit — to fit
  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