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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. squash — the vegetable
  3. stand — to bear
  4. mark — a grade
  5. squash — the sport
  6. hand — help
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. pass — a permit
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. cue — for pool
  11. rest — a break
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. rest — what's left
  15. rest — what's left
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. hand — in cards
  18. mark — a trace
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. hand — part of the body
  22. cue — a hint
  23. cue — a signal
  24. squash — to crush

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