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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: roll · stick · stock · pass · pitcher · cabinet · pit · suit

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. The ________________ market has crashed.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  21. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. suit — to fit
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. stock — shares
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. roll — a cake
  9. suit — clothes
  10. pit — a hole
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. pit — in a race
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. suit — in cards
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. pass — a permit
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. stock — goods
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. roll — a list
  24. cabinet — ministers

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