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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: rock · cue · mug · bore · object · tube · current · press

  1. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. cue — a signal
  3. mug — a face
  4. cue — a hint
  5. tube — the underground
  6. mug — to rob
  7. object — a thing
  8. cue — for pool
  9. bore — to tire
  10. mug — a cup
  11. rock — a stone
  12. current — of water
  13. current — electric
  14. rock — music
  15. tube — a container
  16. press — newspapers
  17. object — to protest
  18. current — happening now
  19. press — to push
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. object — an aim
  23. press — a publisher
  24. bore — to drill

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