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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: coach · bulb · squash · can · key · cue · mouse · staff

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. cue — a hint
  6. cue — a signal
  7. staff — employees
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. squash — to crush
  10. staff — a stick
  11. can — to be able to
  12. key — in music
  13. squash — the vegetable
  14. bulb — for light
  15. key — for a lock
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. staff — employees
  18. key — the most important part
  19. bulb — for light
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. cue — for pool
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. squash — the sport
  24. can — a tin

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