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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 120 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: cue · trunk · can · coach · bank · chip · saw · content

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  13. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  17. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. can — a tin
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. content — the amount
  5. saw — the tool
  6. content — videos and posts
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. bank — for money
  10. chip — to eat
  11. bank — of a river
  12. saw — past of 'see'
  13. coach — pulled by horses
  14. bank — for money
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. trunk — of a tree
  17. content — happy
  18. can — to be able to
  19. cue — a hint
  20. can — a tin
  21. chip — for betting
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. cue — a signal
  24. saw — the tool

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