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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: staff · lash · mate · rock · suit · pitch · last · charge

  1. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. False peace will not ________________.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sports field
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. last — to go on
  4. suit — to fit
  5. rock — music
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. staff — employees
  8. suit — in cards
  9. suit — clothes
  10. rock — a stone
  11. mate — to breed
  12. last — final
  13. charge — in control
  14. charge — a price
  15. pitch — completely
  16. staff — a stick
  17. lash — an eyelash
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. last — finally
  20. mate — a partner
  21. staff — employees
  22. charge — electricity
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. mate — a friend

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