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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
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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: game · ruler · pitch · racket · jam · bank · key · rock

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  7. That was a fun ________________.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. pitch — a sales talk
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. game — a kind of play
  7. game — a match
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. key — the most important part
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. pitch — completely
  13. game — wild animals
  14. bank — for money
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. bank — for money
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. bank — of a river
  21. key — in music
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. rock — music
  24. key — for a lock

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