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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. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  12. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  18. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  19. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  22. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. cue — a hint
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. drill — a practice
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. mine — for digging
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. drill — the tool
  12. bass — the instrument
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. bass — low music
  18. drill — army training
  19. bass — the fish
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. mine — an explosive
  22. mine — belonging to me
  23. cue — a signal
  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