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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: key · stick · fine · object · jam · file · pass · coach

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. fine — all right
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. key — in music
  6. file — a line of people
  7. object — a thing
  8. object — an aim
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. object — to protest
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. key — for a lock
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. file — a document
  16. fine — high quality
  17. pass — a permit
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. file — a tool
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. key — the most important part
  24. coach — a trainer

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