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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: suit · coach · stand · fan · ground · toast · scale · dip

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. There's no middle ________________.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. suit — clothes
  4. suit — in cards
  5. scale — size or range
  6. ground — crushed
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. ground — a position
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. ground — the earth
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. toast — bread
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. suit — to fit
  18. dip — to sink
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. scale — in music
  22. stand — to bear
  23. scale — for weighing
  24. coach — a trainer

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