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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 124 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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  11. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. key — in music
  5. suit — to fit
  6. foot — a measure
  7. cue — for pool
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. key — the most important part
  10. bowl — a football final
  11. deal — to handle
  12. cue — a signal
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. key — for a lock
  18. suit — clothes
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. cue — a hint
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. pitcher — a jug

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