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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: lie · roll · cue · jam · pitch · coach · cabinet · firm

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Have you met the new head ________________?
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  14. We're on a ________________ here.
  15. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  21. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. pitch — completely
  4. roll — a cake
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. roll — a list
  8. cue — a hint
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. firm — decided
  13. firm — a company
  14. roll — on a roll
  15. cue — for pool
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. firm — steady
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. pitch — a sales talk
  21. pitch — a sports field
  22. lie — to recline
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. cue — a signal

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