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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. rush — hurry
  3. cue — for pool
  4. rock — music
  5. cue — a hint
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. rest — what's left
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. chip — for betting
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. season — in sport
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. ball — a dance
  15. rest — a break
  16. ball — a great time
  17. chip — to eat
  18. rest — what's left
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. cue — a signal
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. season — of the year

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