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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. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a signal
  2. pop — soda
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. cue — a hint
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. firm — decided
  8. fine — all right
  9. tube — a container
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. firm — steady
  12. firm — a company
  13. pop — music
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. season — of the year
  16. cue — for pool
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. tube — the underground
  21. plane — a tool
  22. fine — high quality
  23. pop — to visit
  24. season — in sport

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