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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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. current — of water
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. bound — tied together
  8. bound — certain
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. key — the most important part
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. key — in music
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. mark — a grade
  17. current — happening now
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. mark — a trace
  20. pitch — a sales talk
  21. current — electric
  22. bound — obliged
  23. key — for a lock
  24. pass — a permit

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