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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a signal
  2. mug — to rob
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. mug — a cup
  9. cue — for pool
  10. mug — a face
  11. mine — an explosive
  12. charge — electricity
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. plane — a tool
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. mine — for digging
  17. pass — a permit
  18. rush — hurry
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. charge — a price
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. charge — in control
  23. mine — belonging to me
  24. cue — a hint

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