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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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. Did you ________________ the button?
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. cue — a signal
  3. track — to keep track
  4. track — a path
  5. suit — to fit
  6. mark — a trace
  7. wake — before a funeral
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. mark — a grade
  10. press — to push
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. track — a song
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. wake — to stop sleeping
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. press — a publisher
  18. cue — a hint
  19. wake — a trail
  20. suit — in cards
  21. cue — for pool
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. suit — clothes

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