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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. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. When are we going to ________________?
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  24. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. land — ground
  3. current — of water
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. mate — to breed
  6. current — electric
  7. firm — a company
  8. cue — a hint
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. current — happening now
  12. firm — steady
  13. land — to come down
  14. mate — a partner
  15. lie — to recline
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. firm — decided
  18. snap — to snap out of it
  19. snap — to click
  20. cue — a signal
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. mate — a friend
  23. snap — to speak sharply
  24. land — a country

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