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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 120 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: pitch · craft · object · net · coach · leaves · tube · ball

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. tube — a container
  4. net — in sport
  5. pitch — a sports field
  6. object — a thing
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. ball — a great time
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. craft — a handicraft
  12. pitch — completely
  13. tube — the underground
  14. craft — boats
  15. ball — a dance
  16. object — to protest
  17. net — after costs
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. net — for catching
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. object — an aim
  22. craft — a skill
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. pitch — a sales talk

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