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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. I'll be taking the ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. pit — a hole
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. cue — a signal
  7. bank — of a river
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. cue — a hint
  10. firm — decided
  11. tube — the underground
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. tube — a container
  15. prune — to trim
  16. firm — steady
  17. bank — for money
  18. cue — for pool
  19. pit — in a race
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. firm — a company
  22. bank — for money
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. prune — to trim

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