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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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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: pitch · roll · dip · stand · ruler · cell · bulb · suit

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. He was locked up in a ________________.
  17. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. roll — a list
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. cell — a phone
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. bulb — for light
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. suit — to fit
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. cell — in biology
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. dip — to sink
  16. cell — in a prison
  17. pitch — completely
  18. roll — a cake
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. bulb — for light
  21. stand — to bear
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. suit — in cards
  24. dip — a sauce

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