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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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  18. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. The ________________ market has crashed.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. cue — a signal
  3. club — a group
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. suit — clothes
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. cue — a hint
  8. club — for golf
  9. suit — to fit
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. rush — hurry
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. suit — in cards
  16. stem — to come from
  17. club — for dancing
  18. stick — to attach or keep to
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. stock — shares
  23. stock — goods
  24. stem — of a plant

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