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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. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. can — a tin
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. season — of the year
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. rock — a stone
  7. season — in sport
  8. can — a tin
  9. firm — steady
  10. firm — decided
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. stock — shares
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. cue — a hint
  15. stock — goods
  16. cue — a signal
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. wax — to grow
  19. can — to be able to
  20. firm — a company
  21. rock — music
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. mouse — the animal

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