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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: bark · chair · temple · mug · saw · stand · pitch · suit

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  8. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. He works in a ________________ mill.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  23. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  24. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. suit — clothes
  4. mug — to rob
  5. stand — to bear
  6. suit — in cards
  7. bark — to shout
  8. pitch — a sales talk
  9. suit — to fit
  10. chair — a professorship
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. saw — the tool
  15. saw — the tool
  16. chair — to sit on
  17. mug — a cup
  18. bark — of a tree
  19. mug — a face
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. pitch — completely
  23. chair — a leader
  24. bark — a dog's sound

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