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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: bore · press · last · cue · root · mate · wake · suit

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  4. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. Have you found your soul ________________?
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. False peace will not ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. wake — before a funeral
  4. last — finally
  5. root — the cause
  6. wake — to stop sleeping
  7. suit — in cards
  8. bore — to drill
  9. mate — a partner
  10. root — of a plant
  11. bore — to tire
  12. root — of a word
  13. last — final
  14. press — to push
  15. cue — a signal
  16. press — newspapers
  17. mate — a friend
  18. suit — clothes
  19. press — a publisher
  20. suit — to fit
  21. mate — to breed
  22. cue — for pool
  23. cue — a hint
  24. last — to go on

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