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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: pit · pass · root · ball · key · jam · rush · rock

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. root — the cause
  4. rush — hurry
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. key — in music
  7. rock — a stone
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. key — the most important part
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. pit — a hole
  15. key — for a lock
  16. pit — in a race
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. root — of a word
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. ball — a dance
  22. ball — a great time
  23. root — of a plant
  24. rock — music

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