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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: track · tube · rush · cue · pass · coach · suit · bound

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. cue — a signal
  3. cue — a hint
  4. bound — certain
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. pass — a permit
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. suit — to fit
  9. bound — tied together
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. track — a song
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. tube — a container
  14. track — to keep track
  15. tube — the underground
  16. rush — hurry
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. cue — for pool
  19. suit — in cards
  20. bound — obliged
  21. suit — clothes
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. pass — to succeed

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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