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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
468
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: pop · leaves · game · cue · pitcher · temple · present · press

  1. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. You don't need to ________________ round.
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  15. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. He is an ace ________________.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. That was a fun ________________.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. press — newspapers
  3. game — wild animals
  4. cue — for pool
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. game — a kind of play
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. pop — to visit
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. pop — music
  11. cue — a hint
  12. cue — a signal
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. present — a gift
  15. present — the time now
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. press — to push
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. pitcher — in baseball
  20. press — a publisher
  21. present — there
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. game — a match
  24. leaves — of a tree

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