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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: mark · current · pass · present · cue · tube · nail · fine

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. mark — a grade
  4. present — there
  5. fine — all right
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. tube — a container
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. mark — a trace
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. cue — a hint
  12. fine — high quality
  13. current — of water
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. tube — the underground
  16. present — a gift
  17. pass — a permit
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. current — happening now
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. present — the time now
  23. cue — a signal
  24. current — electric

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