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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.

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: cabinet · key · dip · fine · bore · cue · mark · pitch

  1. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sales talk
  2. pitch — completely
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. mark — a grade
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. bore — to drill
  7. key — in music
  8. fine — all right
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. bore — to tire
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. key — the most important part
  15. dip — to dunk
  16. cue — a hint
  17. key — for a lock
  18. cue — for pool
  19. cue — a signal
  20. mark — a trace
  21. pitch — a sports field
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. dip — to sink
  24. fine — high quality

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