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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: mark · field · saw · coach · bay · jam · pitcher · pass

  1. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. He works in a ________________ mill.
  15. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. She's very handy with a ________________.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. field — for sport
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. field — a subject
  9. mark — a grade
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. saw — the tool
  15. field — farmland
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. pass — a permit
  18. saw — the tool
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. mark — a trace
  24. jam — a tight spot

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