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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: roll · pass · board · cue · tube · sharp · lean · staff

  1. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lean — to bend
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. roll — a list
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. sharp — clever
  6. board — a committee
  7. tube — the underground
  8. cue — a signal
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. lean — thin
  11. cue — a hint
  12. cue — for pool
  13. staff — employees
  14. staff — employees
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. sharp — with an edge
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. staff — a stick
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. tube — a container
  22. pass — a permit
  23. board — to get on
  24. roll — a cake

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