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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 120 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: fine · dip · ground · pitcher · stick · tube · mark · pit

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. I'll be taking the ________________.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  16. There's no middle ________________.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. tube — the underground
  3. mark — a grade
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. tube — in a tire
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. pit — a hole
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. tube — a container
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. ground — the earth
  16. ground — a position
  17. mark — a trace
  18. ground — crushed
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. fine — high quality
  22. fine — all right
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. pit — in a race

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