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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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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. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. 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. foot — the bottom
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. board — a committee
  4. cue — a hint
  5. foot — a measure
  6. board — to get on
  7. key — the most important part
  8. staff — a stick
  9. key — for a lock
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. current — electric
  12. cue — for pool
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. staff — employees
  15. current — happening now
  16. key — in music
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. current — of water
  19. trunk — of a tree
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. rock — a stone
  22. rock — music
  23. staff — employees
  24. 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