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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.

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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: bear · suit · pitch · can · fan · stock · safe · row

  1. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sports field
  2. can — a tin
  3. suit — to fit
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. pitch — a sales talk
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. row — a quarrel
  9. bear — the animal
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. bear — the animal
  12. stock — shares
  13. stock — goods
  14. suit — clothes
  15. can — a tin
  16. row — a line
  17. can — to be able to
  18. suit — in cards
  19. row — to paddle
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. pitch — completely
  24. bear — to put up with

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