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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: mouse · rush · charge · mark · spring · cue · sharp · bore

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. It's one o'clock ________________.
  4. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  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. mark — a trace
  2. sharp — clever
  3. sharp — exactly
  4. spring — of water
  5. charge — a price
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. spring — the season
  8. bore — to drill
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. bore — to tire
  11. charge — in control
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. cue — for pool
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. cue — a signal
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. charge — electricity
  19. sharp — with an edge
  20. mark — a grade
  21. spring — a coil
  22. rush — hurry
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. cue — a hint

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