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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: racket · hide · cue · bore · cabinet · mug · bulb · bank

  1. Where did you ________________ them?
  2. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — to rob
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. cue — a signal
  7. bore — to drill
  8. cue — for pool
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. hide — animal skin
  13. bank — for money
  14. mug — a cup
  15. bulb — for light
  16. bank — of a river
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. mug — a face
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. bank — for money
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. bulb — for light
  23. bore — to tire
  24. cue — a hint

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