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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.

Make a worksheet

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: cue · mug · arm · drill · wave · patient · rush · pass

  1. My father caught me by the ________________.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  4. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  12. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  16. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — part of the body
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. drill — a practice
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. drill — army training
  6. pass — a permit
  7. mug — a cup
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. rush — hurry
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. drill — the tool
  12. wave — with your hand
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. wave — a sudden rise
  16. wave — of the sea
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. cue — a signal
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. mug — to rob
  21. mug — a face
  22. cue — for pool
  23. cue — a hint
  24. patient — a sick person

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