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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 120 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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. can — to be able to
  4. cue — for pool
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. can — a tin
  9. stock — shares
  10. dip — to sink
  11. track — to keep track
  12. cue — a signal
  13. bound — obliged
  14. bound — certain
  15. can — a tin
  16. rock — music
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. stock — a soup base
  19. stock — goods
  20. track — a song
  21. track — a path
  22. bound — tied together
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. cue — a hint

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