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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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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: can · lie · pit · pitcher · pop · staff · cell · suit

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. He was locked up in a ________________.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. suit — clothes
  3. cell — in biology
  4. pop — music
  5. staff — a stick
  6. cell — a phone
  7. pop — soda
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. cell — in a prison
  10. staff — employees
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. can — a tin
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. staff — employees
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. can — a tin
  17. suit — in cards
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. pop — to visit
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. pit — a hole
  22. suit — to fit
  23. can — to be able to
  24. lie — to recline

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