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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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  7. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  8. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. pit — in a race
  3. plane — a tool
  4. can — a tin
  5. cue — a hint
  6. pit — a hole
  7. bark — of a tree
  8. bark — a dog's sound
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. can — to be able to
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. mate — to breed
  13. bark — to shout
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. can — a tin
  19. rush — hurry
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. mate — a partner
  22. mate — a friend
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. cue — a signal

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