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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. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a hint
  2. can — to be able to
  3. can — a tin
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. chip — for betting
  6. key — in music
  7. firm — a company
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. cue — a signal
  10. firm — decided
  11. can — a tin
  12. chip — to eat
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. cue — for pool
  15. suit — in cards
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. suit — clothes
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. suit — to fit
  21. key — the most important part
  22. firm — steady
  23. chip — in a computer
  24. key — for a lock

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