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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: coach · suit · date · pitcher · staff · bound · pass · cabinet

  1. Have you met the new head ________________?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. Have you settled on a ________________?
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  18. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Fill up this ________________ with water.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. staff — a stick
  5. bound — tied together
  6. pass — a permit
  7. suit — in cards
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. staff — employees
  10. staff — employees
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. suit — to fit
  13. bound — certain
  14. bound — obliged
  15. date — on the calendar
  16. suit — clothes
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. date — the fruit
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. pitcher — a jug

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