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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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. can — to be able to
  4. can — a tin
  5. track — a path
  6. cue — a signal
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. charge — in control
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. can — a tin
  12. staff — employees
  13. charge — a price
  14. rush — hurry
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. track — to keep track
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. staff — a stick
  20. cue — a hint
  21. pass — a permit
  22. track — a song
  23. charge — electricity
  24. staff — employees

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