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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: rock · band · snap · cue · ball · staff · coach · calf

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. band — a music group
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. staff — a stick
  8. band — a ring
  9. cue — a signal
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. snap — to click
  13. band — a rubber band
  14. rock — music
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. snap — to snap out of it
  17. staff — employees
  18. ball — a great time
  19. cue — a hint
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. ball — a dance
  22. staff — employees
  23. cue — for pool
  24. coach — a trainer

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