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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: bound · suit · rush · mark · wound · dip · charge · cue

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. charge — a price
  4. suit — in cards
  5. cue — for pool
  6. wound — past of 'wind'
  7. bound — obliged
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. bound — tied together
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. dip — to sink
  12. suit — clothes
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. cue — a signal
  15. wound — an injury
  16. cue — a hint
  17. rush — hurry
  18. mark — a grade
  19. wound — an injury
  20. mark — a trace
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. charge — in control
  23. suit — to fit
  24. charge — electricity

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