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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: pass · pitcher · dip · vault · wound · suit · pop · roll

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. You don't need to ________________ round.
  9. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  13. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. We're almost out of ________________.
  24. Fill up this ________________ with water.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. pop — music
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. wound — past of 'wind'
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. suit — in cards
  8. pop — to visit
  9. wound — an injury
  10. suit — to fit
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. roll — a list
  13. wound — an injury
  14. vault — a safe
  15. vault — an arched ceiling
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. vault — in gymnastics
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. suit — clothes
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. pass — a permit
  22. roll — a cake
  23. pop — soda
  24. pitcher — a jug

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