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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 116 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. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — music
  2. suit — clothes
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. suit — to fit
  5. shower — to wash
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. cue — for pool
  8. bear — the animal
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. cue — a signal
  11. rock — a stone
  12. shower — rain
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. bass — the fish
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. bass — low music
  17. lie — to recline
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bear — the animal
  22. cue — a hint
  23. shower — a meteor shower
  24. suit — in cards

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