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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: tube · staff · bore · current · pitch · pass · scale · bulb

  1. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. I'll be taking the ________________.
  4. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  20. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. bulb — for light
  3. tube — the underground
  4. pitch — a sales talk
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. pitch — completely
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. current — electric
  9. pass — a permit
  10. bore — to drill
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. current — happening now
  13. staff — employees
  14. bulb — for light
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. bore — to tire
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. tube — a container
  19. scale — size or range
  20. pitch — a sports field
  21. current — of water
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. scale — in music
  24. staff — a stick

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