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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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  12. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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. chip — for betting
  3. cue — a signal
  4. sharp — clever
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. key — in music
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. fine — all right
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. hand — part of the body
  12. hand — in cards
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. key — the most important part
  16. fine — high quality
  17. firm — a company
  18. cue — a hint
  19. chip — to eat
  20. cue — for pool
  21. hand — help
  22. firm — decided
  23. firm — steady
  24. key — for a lock

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