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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: jam · object · pass · arm · pitch · leaves · roll · spell

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  10. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. object — an aim
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. roll — a list
  8. spell — magic
  9. pitch — a sports field
  10. spell — a short time
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. object — to protest
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. object — a thing
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. spell — letters
  18. pitch — completely
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. roll — a cake
  24. pass — a permit

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