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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: key · fine · pass · track · pitch · pop · coach · cue

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pop — soda
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. pop — music
  5. pitch — completely
  6. cue — a hint
  7. cue — a signal
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. key — the most important part
  10. fine — high quality
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. track — a song
  13. key — in music
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. track — to keep track
  17. key — for a lock
  18. cue — for pool
  19. track — a path
  20. fine — all right
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. pass — a permit
  24. pop — to visit

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