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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 120 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: track · cue · ruler · current · lash · ball · coach · key

  1. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — pulled by horses
  2. cue — for pool
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. cue — a signal
  5. ball — a dance
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. key — for a lock
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. track — a path
  10. current — happening now
  11. key — the most important part
  12. current — of water
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. track — to keep track
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. ball — a great time
  17. current — electric
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. track — a song
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. key — in music
  24. cue — a hint

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