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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: coach · bulb · scale · arm · lash · fan · pass · pitch

  1. My father caught me by the ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — part of the body
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. scale — in music
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. pitch — completely
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. bulb — for light
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. bulb — for light
  13. pass — a permit
  14. pitch — a sales talk
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. scale — size or range

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