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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: current · lash · cue · mate · snap · stand · leaves · pitcher

  1. He is an ace ________________.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — in baseball
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. snap — to snap out of it
  4. current — happening now
  5. cue — a signal
  6. mate — to breed
  7. cue — for pool
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. snap — to speak sharply
  11. current — electric
  12. mate — a partner
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. current — of water
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. snap — to click
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. stand — to bear
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. cue — a hint
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. mate — a friend

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