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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: pop · pitcher · temple · fine · bowl · swing · pit · scale

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. We're almost out of ________________.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. He is an ace ________________.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. You don't need to ________________ round.
  18. David sat on the ________________.
  19. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. swing — in golf
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. pop — soda
  5. scale — in music
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. pitcher — in baseball
  8. pit — a hole
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. fine — all right
  12. pit — in a race
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. pop — music
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. pop — to visit
  18. swing — to play on
  19. scale — size or range
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. fine — high quality
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. swing — music

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