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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.

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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: craft · pitch · vault · firm · mark · pass · swing · fine

  1. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. David sat on the ________________.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. vault — an arched ceiling
  3. firm — a company
  4. mark — a grade
  5. swing — music
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. pitch — a sports field
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. pass — a permit
  11. swing — in golf
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. craft — a handicraft
  15. firm — steady
  16. swing — to play on
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. fine — high quality
  19. craft — boats
  20. vault — a safe
  21. fine — all right
  22. mark — a trace
  23. firm — decided
  24. craft — a skill

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