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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 ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. tube — a container
  5. cue — a hint
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. cue — for pool
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. mark — a trace
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. band — a music group
  13. tube — the underground
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. cue — a signal
  18. band — a ring
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. band — a rubber band
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. mark — a grade
  24. stand — to bear

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