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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. coach — pulled by horses
  3. charge — a price
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. mug — a cup
  6. mug — to rob
  7. mug — a face
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. charge — in control
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. cue — a hint
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. saw — past of 'see'
  14. cue — for pool
  15. bowl — a dish
  16. cue — a signal
  17. saw — the tool
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. charge — electricity
  20. saw — the tool
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. coach — a trainer

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