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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: hide · rest · bowl · staff · cue · toast · dip · mouse

  1. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — bread
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. staff — employees
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. rest — a break
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. dip — to sink
  9. cue — a hint
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. rest — what's left
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. bowl — to roll
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. staff — a stick
  16. cue — for pool
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. rest — what's left
  22. staff — employees
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. cue — a signal

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