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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: season · pass · key · suit · pitcher · mug · object · lie

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Did you ________________ the meat?
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. season — to add flavour
  3. mug — a cup
  4. mug — to rob
  5. object — an aim
  6. suit — to fit
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. pass — a permit
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. key — the most important part
  11. mug — a face
  12. key — in music
  13. lie — to recline
  14. suit — clothes
  15. object — a thing
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. season — of the year
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. season — in sport
  20. key — for a lock
  21. suit — in cards
  22. object — to protest
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. pitcher — a jug

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