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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: cabinet · rush · cue · mouse · coach · bay · mate · roll

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  7. We're on a ________________ here.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Have you found your soul ________________?
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. roll — a list
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. roll — a cake
  7. roll — on a roll
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. rush — hurry
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. mate — a friend
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. mate — to breed
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. cue — a signal
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. cue — for pool
  22. cue — a hint
  23. mate — a partner
  24. coach — a trainer

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