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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. suit — in cards
  5. pop — music
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. suit — to fit
  8. cue — for pool
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. saw — the tool
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. cue — a signal
  16. cue — a hint
  17. saw — the tool
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. pop — to visit
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. suit — clothes

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