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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
468
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 · jam · squash · safe · bore · cue · scale · toast

  1. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the sport
  2. bore — to drill
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. bore — to tire
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. scale — in music
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. toast — bread
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. scale — size or range
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. cue — a signal
  20. cue — a hint
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. squash — to crush
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. cue — for pool

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