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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.

Make a worksheet

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: pitch · saw · jam · craft · can · stick · hide · roll

  1. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  18. She's very handy with a ________________.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. We're on a ________________ here.
  21. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. craft — a skill
  3. can — a tin
  4. saw — the tool
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. pitch — completely
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. pitch — a sales talk
  9. can — a tin
  10. roll — a cake
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. saw — past of 'see'
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. craft — boats
  18. saw — the tool
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. roll — on a roll
  21. craft — a handicraft
  22. can — to be able to
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. hide — to keep secret

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