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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: row · mate · object · mark · current · pass · cue · tube

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  12. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. current — of water
  4. pass — a permit
  5. mark — a trace
  6. current — happening now
  7. tube — a container
  8. current — electric
  9. cue — a hint
  10. object — to protest
  11. row — a line
  12. object — a thing
  13. mate — a friend
  14. tube — the underground
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. cue — a signal
  17. cue — for pool
  18. mate — a partner
  19. mate — to breed
  20. object — an aim
  21. row — a quarrel
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. row — to paddle
  24. mark — a grade

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