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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: mouse · hide · mark · dip · fan · plane · coach · cue

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. cue — a signal
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. mark — a grade
  6. dip — to sink
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. mark — a trace
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. cue — a hint
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. plane — a tool
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. cue — for pool
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. mouse — the animal

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