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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. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  16. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. bank — for money
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. bulb — for light
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. bank — for money
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. pitch — a sports field
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. drill — the tool
  13. press — to push
  14. bulb — for light
  15. press — newspapers
  16. drill — a practice
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. press — a publisher
  21. drill — army training
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. bank — of a river
  24. pitch — a sales talk

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