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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. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — to stop sleeping
  2. cue — a signal
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. cue — a hint
  5. cue — for pool
  6. can — a tin
  7. bank — of a river
  8. wake — a trail
  9. bulb — for light
  10. fine — high quality
  11. wake — before a funeral
  12. fine — all right
  13. suit — in cards
  14. bank — for money
  15. scale — in music
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. bank — for money
  18. suit — to fit
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. can — a tin
  21. scale — size or range
  22. can — to be able to
  23. bulb — for light
  24. suit — clothes

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