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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: dip · degree · mouse · rush · pass · pitcher · cue · jam

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. cue — a signal
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. cue — a hint
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. degree — temperature
  12. dip — to sink
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. degree — an amount
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. rush — hurry
  19. degree — from a university
  20. cue — for pool
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. pass — a permit

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