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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. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. Have you settled on a ________________?
  14. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  15. That was a fun ________________.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. mark — a grade
  3. firm — steady
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. mark — a trace
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. cue — a hint
  8. date — the fruit
  9. cue — for pool
  10. firm — a company
  11. game — a kind of play
  12. track — to keep track
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. game — wild animals
  15. game — a match
  16. track — a path
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. cue — a signal
  21. firm — decided
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. date — on the calendar

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