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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 · board · ball · coach · bulb · ruler · bank · dip

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. pitch — completely
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bank — of a river
  5. bulb — for light
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. board — to get on
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. bank — for money
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. board — a committee
  18. ball — a dance
  19. dip — to sink
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. ball — a great time
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. bank — for money

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