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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.

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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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468
Word bank
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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. suit — to fit
  5. staff — employees
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. root — of a word
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. root — the cause
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. patient — calm and waiting
  12. ball — a great time
  13. suit — clothes
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. staff — a stick
  16. cue — a hint
  17. saw — the tool
  18. root — of a plant
  19. staff — employees
  20. suit — in cards
  21. saw — the tool
  22. ball — a dance
  23. cue — for pool
  24. cue — a signal

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