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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 116 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. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. That was a fun ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. bound — tied together
  3. ball — a dance
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. deal — to handle
  6. cue — a hint
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. cue — for pool
  10. ball — a great time
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. game — a match
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. game — wild animals
  17. bound — obliged
  18. game — a kind of play
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. cue — a signal
  21. scale — in music
  22. scale — size or range
  23. bound — certain
  24. bowl — to roll

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