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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  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. ruler — for measuring
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. mark — a grade
  5. squash — the sport
  6. cue — a hint
  7. wax — in the ear
  8. mark — a trace
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. squash — to crush
  13. patient — calm and waiting
  14. press — newspapers
  15. press — a publisher
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. press — to push
  18. wax — to grow
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. squash — the vegetable
  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