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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: jam · mouse · pass · bass · coach · wax · mark · suit

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. suit — clothes
  4. suit — to fit
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. bass — the fish
  7. mark — a grade
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. wax — to grow
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. bass — low music
  17. wax — for sculpting
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. pass — a permit
  22. suit — in cards
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. mark — a trace

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