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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: net · perch · cabinet · lean · ball · pitch · suit · pit

  1. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  17. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. What was your ________________ profit last year?

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. net — for catching
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. pitch — completely
  8. ball — a dance
  9. pit — a hole
  10. suit — in cards
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. lean — to bend
  13. pit — in a race
  14. suit — to fit
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. pitch — a sales talk
  17. lean — thin
  18. perch — the fish
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. ball — a great time
  21. pitch — a sports field
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. suit — clothes
  24. net — after costs

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