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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. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. cue — a signal
  3. season — of the year
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. object — to protest
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. lie — to recline
  8. cue — for pool
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. chip — in a computer
  11. current — electric
  12. chip — for betting
  13. object — an aim
  14. key — for a lock
  15. current — happening now
  16. key — the most important part
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. key — in music
  19. cue — a hint
  20. season — in sport
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. chip — to eat
  24. current — of water

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