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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: stick · key · object · foot · mark · pitch · march · safe

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  16. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  22. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. object — a thing
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. object — to protest
  5. pitch — completely
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. march — the month
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. key — in music
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. key — for a lock
  15. pitch — a sales talk
  16. march — the month
  17. foot — a measure
  18. mark — a grade
  19. key — the most important part
  20. mark — a trace
  21. march — music
  22. pitch — a sports field
  23. object — an aim
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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