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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 · saw · current · ball · rock · bulb · season · tube

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  3. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. She's very handy with a ________________.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. pitch — a sales talk
  3. pitch — a sports field
  4. bulb — for light
  5. saw — the tool
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. tube — a container
  9. rock — a stone
  10. bulb — for light
  11. pitch — completely
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. current — electric
  14. season — of the year
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. current — happening now
  17. ball — a dance
  18. season — in sport
  19. tube — in a tire
  20. tube — the underground
  21. rock — music
  22. saw — past of 'see'
  23. saw — the tool
  24. ball — a great time

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