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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. ball — a great time
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. fine — all right
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. press — to push
  7. bulb — for light
  8. bulb — for light
  9. cue — a hint
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. press — newspapers
  13. press — a publisher
  14. fine — high quality
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. ball — a dance
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. cue — a signal

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