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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 116 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: squash · pass · bound · suit · rush · key

  1. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. bound — tied together
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. suit — clothes
  5. squash — to crush
  6. suit — to fit
  7. squash — the sport
  8. pass — a permit
  9. suit — in cards
  10. key — in music
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. key — for a lock
  13. bound — obliged
  14. bound — certain
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. rush — hurry
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. key — the most important part

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