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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 116 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: plane · pitch · drill · track · racket · rock · fine · calf

  1. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  14. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  15. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — a loud noise
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. pitch — a sports field
  4. pitch — completely
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. rock — a stone
  8. track — to keep track
  9. plane — a tool
  10. track — a song
  11. drill — the tool
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. drill — army training
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. drill — a practice
  16. track — a path
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. pitch — a sales talk
  21. fine — all right
  22. rock — music
  23. fine — high quality
  24. rock — to move gently

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