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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 · can · mouse · saw · pit · bulb · rest · plane

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. rest — what's left
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. can — a tin
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. bulb — for light
  8. can — a tin
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. pitch — completely
  11. plane — a tool
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. rest — what's left
  14. saw — the tool
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. bulb — for light
  17. can — to be able to
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. pitch — a sports field
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. saw — the tool
  23. rest — a break
  24. pit — a hole

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