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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. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. That was a fun ________________.
  16. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  17. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. game — a kind of play
  4. pass — a permit
  5. ball — a dance
  6. craft — a skill
  7. key — the most important part
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. cue — for pool
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. key — for a lock
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. game — a match
  16. game — wild animals
  17. rest — what's left
  18. ball — a great time
  19. rest — what's left
  20. rest — a break
  21. cue — a signal
  22. cue — a hint
  23. craft — boats
  24. key — in music

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