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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 120 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: scale · coach · cue · leaves · pass · suit · bulb · saw

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. suit — in cards
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. scale — size or range
  5. suit — clothes
  6. bulb — for light
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. cue — a hint
  9. bulb — for light
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. saw — the tool
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. pass — a permit
  16. cue — a signal
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. suit — to fit
  20. scale — in music
  21. cue — for pool
  22. scale — for weighing
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. saw — past of 'see'

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