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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. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Its rival in the ________________ War, the Soviet Union, exploited this at the time.
  5. The water is too ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. I had a bad ________________ and was in bed for a week.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. craft — boats
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. cold — the Cold War
  5. cold — not warm
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. cue — a hint
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. cold — an illness
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. net — in sport
  13. net — for catching
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. cue — a signal
  16. net — after costs
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. craft — a skill
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. stand — to bear
  22. craft — a handicraft
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. leaves — lets stay

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