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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 116 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: cabinet · lash · cue · rush · root · can · face · rest

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. face — to point toward
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. root — of a word
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. can — a tin
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. cue — a hint
  11. rest — a break
  12. rush — hurry
  13. face — part of the head
  14. rest — what's left
  15. root — of a plant
  16. can — a tin
  17. face — to confront
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. can — to be able to
  20. rest — what's left
  21. cue — a signal
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. root — the cause
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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