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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.

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: can · content · key · bore · pass · kid · bank · pitcher

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  4. key — in music
  5. bank — for money
  6. bore — to drill
  7. key — the most important part
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. content — the amount
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. bore — to tire
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. kid — to tease
  14. can — a tin
  15. kid — child
  16. can — a tin
  17. pass — a permit
  18. content — happy
  19. bank — of a river
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. bank — for money
  22. key — for a lock
  23. content — videos and posts
  24. can — to be able to

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