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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.

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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: mug · net · cue · can · stand · plane · bore · snap

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  12. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. mug — to rob
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. net — for catching
  5. can — to be able to
  6. snap — to click
  7. cue — a signal
  8. plane — a tool
  9. mug — a cup
  10. cue — for pool
  11. bore — gave birth
  12. snap — to speak sharply
  13. stand — to bear
  14. bore — to tire
  15. snap — to snap out of it
  16. can — a tin
  17. can — a tin
  18. net — after costs
  19. mug — a face
  20. cue — a hint
  21. net — in sport
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. bore — to drill

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