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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: dip · deal · bear · rush · kick · press · staff · cue

  1. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. bear — the animal
  3. staff — a stick
  4. cue — a signal
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. deal — to handle
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. bear — the animal
  9. kick — in football
  10. cue — a hint
  11. press — a publisher
  12. kick — with a leg
  13. staff — employees
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. rush — hurry
  16. press — to push
  17. dip — to sink
  18. cue — for pool
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. press — newspapers
  21. staff — employees
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. kick — a thrill

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