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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
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: pitch · rule · safe · rush · saw · suit · racket · bowl

  1. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  10. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  11. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. rush — hurry
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. pitch — completely
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. pitch — a sports field
  11. rule — a law
  12. suit — clothes
  13. saw — the tool
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. suit — in cards
  18. suit — to fit
  19. rule — government
  20. saw — the tool
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. rule — to rule out
  23. racket — a loud noise
  24. bowl — a dish

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