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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: mate · fan · bowl · mark · stand · suit · cue · track

  1. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  4. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  23. Have you found your soul ________________?
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a signal
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. mate — to breed
  4. bowl — a dish
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. stand — to bear
  8. track — a song
  9. track — to keep track
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. suit — clothes
  12. cue — for pool
  13. mate — a friend
  14. suit — to fit
  15. mark — a grade
  16. track — a path
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. mark — a trace
  19. suit — in cards
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. bowl — to roll
  23. mate — a partner
  24. cue — a hint

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