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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. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a signal
  2. can — a tin
  3. pass — a permit
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. can — to be able to
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. cue — for pool
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. cue — a hint
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. rush — hurry
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. can — a tin
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. trunk — of a car

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