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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
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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 · rush · fan · pop · pass · row · pitch · hide

  1. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. The players ran onto the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. pop — to visit
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. row — to paddle
  6. row — a line
  7. pop — soda
  8. pitch — completely
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. pass — a permit
  12. row — a quarrel
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. suit — in cards
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. pop — music
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. pitch — a sales talk
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. suit — to fit
  22. suit — clothes
  23. rush — hurry
  24. pitch — a sports field

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