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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. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  23. There's no middle ________________.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. cue — a hint
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. object — an aim
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. suit — in cards
  9. staff — a stick
  10. staff — employees
  11. suit — to fit
  12. cue — for pool
  13. cue — a signal
  14. suit — clothes
  15. object — a thing
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. staff — employees
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. stand — to bear
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. object — to protest
  22. ground — crushed
  23. ground — a position
  24. sharp — clever

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