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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
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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: pass · mug · stem · vault · court · jam · pitch · spell

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  4. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  5. The ball is in your ________________.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. pitch — a sales talk
  4. court — of law
  5. court — for sport
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. vault — a safe
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. pitch — completely
  10. mug — to rob
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. stem — to come from
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. mug — a cup
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. court — of a king
  17. spell — a short time
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. spell — magic
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. pass — a permit
  22. spell — letters
  23. mug — a face
  24. stem — of a plant

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