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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.

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: pitch · hide · season · foot · plane · board · nail · safe

  1. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. plane — a tool
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. board — a committee
  8. season — of the year
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. foot — a measure
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. season — in sport
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. board — to get on
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — a strongbox

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