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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
468
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: file · mate · cue · coach · bore · mouse · fan · pitch

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. pitch — completely
  3. pitch — a sales talk
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. file — a tool
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. cue — a hint
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. cue — for pool
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. cue — a signal
  15. mate — a partner
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. bore — to tire
  18. file — a line of people
  19. bore — to drill
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. mate — to breed
  22. mate — a friend
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. fan — a supporter

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