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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 116 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: squash · dip · cue · wave · net · key · spring · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  5. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  8. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  15. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  19. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pass — a permit
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. spring — of water
  5. net — after costs
  6. squash — the sport
  7. dip — a sauce
  8. spring — a coil
  9. key — the most important part
  10. squash — to crush
  11. cue — a signal
  12. net — in sport
  13. cue — for pool
  14. dip — to sink
  15. wave — of the sea
  16. cue — a hint
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. spring — the season
  19. net — for catching
  20. key — in music
  21. key — for a lock
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. squash — the vegetable

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