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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: cue · net · jam · lean · rock · dip · stand · file

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  8. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  9. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. file — a document
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. cue — a hint
  7. dip — to sink
  8. net — for catching
  9. lean — thin
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. file — a line of people
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. rock — a stone
  16. net — after costs
  17. cue — a signal
  18. lean — to bend
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. net — in sport
  22. stand — to bear
  23. file — a tool
  24. rock — music

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