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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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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: pass · dip · trunk · rush · cabinet · cue · cap · ground

  1. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. There's no middle ________________.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. dip — to sink
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. cue — for pool
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. cue — a hint
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. trunk — of an elephant
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. cap — of ice
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. dip — to dunk
  16. rush — hurry
  17. pass — a permit
  18. cap — a lid
  19. cue — a signal
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. ground — a position
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. ground — crushed
  24. cap — a hat

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