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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. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a hint
  2. net — for catching
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. cue — for pool
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. net — in sport
  7. mug — a face
  8. mug — to rob
  9. pass — a permit
  10. net — after costs
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. charge — a price
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. mug — a cup
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. charge — electricity
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. cue — a signal
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. charge — in control

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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