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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: rash · object · roll · pitch · can · stand · pit · pass

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. can — a tin
  4. pitch — completely
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. pit — a fruit stone
  7. object — a thing
  8. roll — a list
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. roll — a cake
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. pit — in a race
  13. object — an aim
  14. can — to be able to
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. rash — a series
  18. rash — hasty
  19. stand — to bear
  20. pass — a permit
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. object — to protest
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. pit — a hole

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