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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. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  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. board — a flat piece
  2. suit — clothes
  3. key — in music
  4. cue — for pool
  5. cue — a hint
  6. board — a committee
  7. charge — electricity
  8. stock — goods
  9. suit — to fit
  10. charge — a price
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. stock — shares
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. scale — in music
  15. chip — to eat
  16. scale — size or range
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. charge — in control
  19. key — the most important part
  20. key — for a lock
  21. board — to get on
  22. chip — for betting
  23. cue — a signal
  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