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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 kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  3. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  4. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. mine — belonging to me
  3. scale — size or range
  4. firm — decided
  5. cue — for pool
  6. mine — an explosive
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. scale — in music
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. bass — low music
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. cue — a signal
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. firm — steady
  18. suit — clothes
  19. firm — a company
  20. suit — in cards
  21. mine — for digging
  22. bass — the fish
  23. cue — a hint
  24. suit — to fit

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