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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: coach · rash · can · pass · cabinet · firm · lie · mouse

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. pass — a permit
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. lie — to recline
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. firm — steady
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. can — a tin
  13. can — to be able to
  14. rash — hasty
  15. firm — a company
  16. can — a tin
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. firm — decided
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. rash — a series

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