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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 120 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: safe · pitch · temple · bulb · fine · pass · hide · field

  1. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  13. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  17. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — high quality
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bulb — for light
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. field — farmland
  11. pass — a permit
  12. field — for sport
  13. pitch — a sales talk
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. field — a subject
  17. pitch — completely
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. bulb — for light
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. fine — all right

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