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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 120 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 train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  21. David sat on the ________________.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. fine — high quality
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. cue — for pool
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. cue — a signal
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. key — in music
  11. key — for a lock
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. cue — a hint
  15. mug — a cup
  16. key — the most important part
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. mug — to rob
  19. mug — a face
  20. swing — in golf
  21. swing — to play on
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. swing — music
  24. fine — all right

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