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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. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.

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

Answer key

  1. snap — to click
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. prune — to trim
  4. cue — for pool
  5. prune — the fruit
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. charge — in control
  8. spell — magic
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. charge — a price
  14. spell — a short time
  15. prune — to trim
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. charge — electricity
  18. spell — letters
  19. cue — a hint
  20. deal — to handle
  21. cue — a signal
  22. snap — to speak sharply
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. snap — to snap out of it

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