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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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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. Have you met the new head ________________?
  2. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. wake — a trail
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. wake — before a funeral
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. charge — a price
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. cue — for pool
  10. charge — electricity
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. mate — a partner
  13. wake — to stop sleeping
  14. bass — low music
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. charge — in control
  17. cue — a hint
  18. mate — to breed
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. cue — a signal
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. lie — to recline
  23. mate — a friend
  24. bass — the fish

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