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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: court · jam · can · stick · pass · coach · wave · cabinet

  1. The ball is in your ________________.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.

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

Answer key

  1. court — for sport
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. wave — with your hand
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. can — to be able to
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. court — of a king
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. can — a tin
  17. can — a tin
  18. pass — a permit
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. court — of law

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