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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.

Make a worksheet

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: saw · foot · trunk · pitch · charge · pass · key · leaves

  1. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. He works in a ________________ mill.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. foot — a measure
  3. pitch — a sales talk
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. charge — in control
  6. saw — the tool
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. key — for a lock
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. charge — a price
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. key — in music
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. pass — a permit
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. key — the most important part
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. charge — electricity
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. saw — the tool

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