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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 116 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: scale · coach · cue · ball · saw · leaves · rush · mug

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. cue — a signal
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. mug — a face
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. mug — a cup
  12. mug — to rob
  13. scale — in music
  14. scale — size or range
  15. ball — a dance
  16. saw — the tool
  17. ball — a great time
  18. cue — for pool
  19. cue — a hint
  20. rush — hurry
  21. saw — the tool
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. leaves — to go away

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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