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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.

Make a worksheet

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: bear · staff · bay · can · craft · key · season · pitch

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. pitch — completely
  3. key — in music
  4. craft — boats
  5. staff — employees
  6. staff — a stick
  7. key — for a lock
  8. season — in sport
  9. craft — a skill
  10. staff — employees
  11. pitch — a sports field
  12. can — a tin
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. can — a tin
  15. key — the most important part
  16. bear — the animal
  17. can — to be able to
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. season — of the year
  20. bear — the animal
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. craft — a handicraft
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. pitch — a sales talk

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