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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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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: suit · pound · pitcher · bound · straw · plane · stand · net

  1. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. That was ________________ to happen.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  17. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  18. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  19. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  20. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — a weight
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. straw — dry grass
  6. suit — clothes
  7. stand — to bear
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. bound — tied together
  12. bound — certain
  13. net — after costs
  14. bound — obliged
  15. net — for catching
  16. pound — for dogs
  17. straw — to clutch at straws
  18. net — in sport
  19. pound — to hit hard
  20. straw — a straw man
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. suit — to fit
  23. plane — a tool
  24. suit — in cards

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