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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: tube · plane · coach · press · pitch · pop · rock · face

  1. I'll be taking the ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. You don't need to ________________ round.
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  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. tube — the underground
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. press — newspapers
  4. pop — to visit
  5. press — to push
  6. face — part of the head
  7. pitch — completely
  8. tube — in a tire
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. face — to confront
  12. press — a publisher
  13. plane — a tool
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. tube — a container
  16. rock — a stone
  17. rock — music
  18. pop — music
  19. face — to point toward
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. pop — soda
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  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