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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: pitch · lash · lie · rush · suit · squash · bulb · cabinet

  1. What do you think of the new ________________?
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. pitch — completely
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. suit — clothes
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. squash — the sport
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. suit — in cards
  15. squash — to crush
  16. bulb — for light
  17. pitch — a sales talk
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. lie — to recline
  22. rush — hurry
  23. bulb — for light
  24. suit — to fit

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