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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. That was a fun ________________.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  12. You don't need to ________________ round.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  20. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. game — a match
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. cue — for pool
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. pop — soda
  7. suit — in cards
  8. game — a kind of play
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. pop — music
  11. game — wild animals
  12. pop — to visit
  13. suit — to fit
  14. fine — high quality
  15. straw — to clutch at straws
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. cue — a hint
  18. rush — hurry
  19. straw — dry grass
  20. straw — a straw man
  21. suit — clothes
  22. cue — a signal
  23. fine — all right
  24. rush — to hurry

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