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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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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: leaves · fork · press · pass · mark · pitch · deal · bay

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. fork — in a road
  3. pitch — completely
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. mark — a grade
  10. pitch — a sports field
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. press — to push
  14. press — a publisher
  15. deal — to handle
  16. pass — a permit
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. press — newspapers
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. mark — a trace
  24. fork — a garden 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