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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. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. cue — for pool
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. rock — a stone
  5. mug — to rob
  6. press — newspapers
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. cue — a hint
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. rock — music
  12. fork — a garden tool
  13. firm — steady
  14. mug — a cup
  15. cue — a signal
  16. fork — to eat with
  17. mug — a face
  18. firm — a company
  19. press — to push
  20. press — a publisher
  21. firm — decided
  22. plane — a tool
  23. fork — in a road
  24. mouse — the animal

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