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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 · pass · game · perch · plane · cabinet · cue · suit

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. That was a fun ________________.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. plane — a tool
  4. game — a kind of play
  5. cue — a signal
  6. perch — the fish
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. cue — for pool
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. game — wild animals
  12. suit — clothes
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. pass — a permit
  17. game — a match
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. suit — in cards
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. cue — a hint
  24. suit — to fit

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