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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. bowl — a dish
  4. object — a thing
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. cue — for pool
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. cue — a signal
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. board — a committee
  15. object — an aim
  16. pass — a permit
  17. board — to get on
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. mark — a grade
  20. rock — music
  21. cue — a hint
  22. rock — a stone
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. object — to protest

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