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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. season — in sport
  3. season — of the year
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. key — in music
  8. object — an aim
  9. key — the most important part
  10. object — a thing
  11. bear — the animal
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. bear — to put up with
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. cue — for pool
  19. bear — the animal
  20. object — to protest
  21. cue — a signal
  22. key — for a lock
  23. cue — a hint
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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