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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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. cue — for pool
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. object — a thing
  5. scale — in music
  6. track — a path
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. track — a song
  9. scale — size or range
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. object — an aim
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. object — to protest
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. foot — a measure
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. track — to keep track
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. cue — a hint
  22. cue — a signal
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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