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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: field · mouse · cabinet · ruler · foot · cue · lean · rush

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. lean — to bend
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. cue — for pool
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. rush — hurry
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. field — for sport
  14. cue — a hint
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. field — farmland
  19. foot — a measure
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. field — a subject
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. lean — thin
  24. cue — a signal

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