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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 a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. The ball is in your ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. court — of a king
  2. spell — a short time
  3. mate — a friend
  4. rock — a stone
  5. spell — magic
  6. court — for sport
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. can — a tin
  9. firm — decided
  10. mate — a partner
  11. cue — a signal
  12. spell — letters
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. rock — music
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. firm — a company
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. cue — for pool
  19. can — to be able to
  20. firm — steady
  21. cue — a hint
  22. court — of law
  23. mate — to breed
  24. can — a tin

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