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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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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: pit · pass · craft · stand · coach · stick · saw · net

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  18. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  19. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. craft — a skill
  6. craft — boats
  7. stand — to bear
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. net — in sport
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. saw — the tool
  14. pit — in a race
  15. saw — the tool
  16. pass — a permit
  17. craft — a handicraft
  18. pit — a hole
  19. net — for catching
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. net — after costs
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. coach — a trainer

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