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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: pass · toast · wave · roll · staff · cabinet · cue · racket

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. We're on a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. roll — a list
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. staff — a stick
  9. toast — bread
  10. cue — for pool
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. roll — a cake
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. cue — a signal
  15. pass — a permit
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. cue — a hint
  18. staff — employees
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. racket — a loud noise
  23. staff — employees
  24. roll — on a roll

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