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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: pass · mug · jam · wave · mouse · rock · saw · rush

  1. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. rush — hurry
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. mug — to rob
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. mug — a cup
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. saw — the tool
  12. mug — a face
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. wave — with your hand
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. saw — the tool
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. rock — a stone
  23. rock — music
  24. pass — a permit

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