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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. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. The ball is in your ________________.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. suit — clothes
  3. key — in music
  4. can — a tin
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. mug — a cup
  7. bulb — for light
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. court — of a king
  10. key — for a lock
  11. court — of law
  12. can — to be able to
  13. key — the most important part
  14. suit — to fit
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. cue — a signal
  17. mug — a face
  18. can — a tin
  19. suit — in cards
  20. cue — a hint
  21. bulb — for light
  22. court — for sport
  23. cue — for pool
  24. mug — to rob

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