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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
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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: rush · fine · wave · ball · cue · pitcher · rock · jam

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. cue — a signal
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. rock — a stone
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. ball — a great time
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. rock — music
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. ball — a dance
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. cue — a hint
  20. wave — a sudden rise
  21. fine — high quality
  22. rush — hurry
  23. fine — all right
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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