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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: jam · cue · scale · mate · can · leaves · pass · patient

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. pass — a permit
  3. cue — a signal
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. scale — in music
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. mate — a partner
  8. can — a tin
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. cue — a hint
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. scale — size or range
  16. mate — to breed
  17. patient — calm and waiting
  18. can — a tin
  19. can — to be able to
  20. patient — a sick person
  21. cue — for pool
  22. mate — a friend
  23. jam — in traffic
  24. leaves — of a tree

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