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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: field · ruler · cue · swing · saw · mouse · mate · ball

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  6. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. David sat on the ________________.
  10. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. field — a subject
  6. swing — in golf
  7. mate — a friend
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. swing — to play on
  10. swing — music
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. cue — a signal
  13. saw — the tool
  14. mate — to breed
  15. field — for sport
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. ball — a dance
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. ball — a great time
  20. cue — for pool
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. mate — a partner
  23. cue — a hint
  24. field — farmland

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