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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: pitch · coach · calf · mate · land · press · safe · fan

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. When are we going to ________________?
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. mate — a friend
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. pitch — completely
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mate — to breed
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. land — to come down
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. press — to push
  18. land — ground
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. mate — a partner
  21. land — a country
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. press — a publisher
  24. fan — a supporter

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