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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.

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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: pitch · key · pass · spring · lash · pop · present · mug

  1. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  4. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  7. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. We're almost out of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. present — the time now
  2. key — in music
  3. pitch — a sports field
  4. spring — the season
  5. pop — to visit
  6. spring — of water
  7. spring — a coil
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. present — there
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. pitch — completely
  13. mug — to rob
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. mug — a cup
  16. key — the most important part
  17. present — a gift
  18. pop — music
  19. pitch — a sales talk
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. key — for a lock
  22. mug — a face
  23. pass — a permit
  24. pop — soda

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