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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 120 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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  4. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. capital — a city
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. sharp — clever
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. cue — a signal
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. suit — to fit
  11. capital — money
  12. rock — music
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. dip — to dunk
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. suit — clothes
  18. cue — a hint
  19. rock — a stone
  20. dip — to sink
  21. capital — a big letter
  22. suit — in cards
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. safe — out of danger

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