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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 116 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.

Make a worksheet

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: pitcher · squash · pass · mine · current · can · bass · mug

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. I play ________________ in a jazz band.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. can — a tin
  3. current — happening now
  4. mug — a cup
  5. current — of water
  6. mine — an explosive
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. current — electric
  10. mug — a face
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. squash — the sport
  13. pass — a permit
  14. squash — to crush
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. mug — to rob
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. can — to be able to
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. bass — the fish
  22. mine — for digging
  23. bass — low music
  24. bass — the instrument

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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