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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. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to dunk
  2. charge — in control
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. charge — a price
  6. board — to get on
  7. wax — to grow
  8. board — a committee
  9. cue — a signal
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. suit — clothes
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. dip — to sink
  17. charge — electricity
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. cue — a hint
  21. suit — in cards
  22. suit — to fit
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. cue — for pool

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