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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.

Words on the sheet
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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 · object · pop · row · rock · rush · snap · mug

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  3. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. row — to paddle
  3. object — a thing
  4. pop — music
  5. pop — to visit
  6. pop — soda
  7. snap — to click
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. object — to protest
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. snap — to speak sharply
  13. mug — to rob
  14. row — a quarrel
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. object — an aim
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. row — a line
  19. rush — hurry
  20. rock — music
  21. mug — a cup
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. mug — a face
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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