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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.

Make a worksheet

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: pass · bark · cabinet · jam · firm · charge · key · pitch

  1. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. charge — electricity
  4. firm — a company
  5. pass — a permit
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. bark — of a tree
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. charge — a price
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. bark — to shout
  15. key — the most important part
  16. pitch — a sales talk
  17. firm — steady
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. firm — decided
  20. charge — in control
  21. pitch — completely
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. bark — a dog's sound
  24. key — in 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