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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. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  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. cue — for pool
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. deal — to handle
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. current — electric
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. bulb — for light
  8. squash — the sport
  9. staff — a stick
  10. squash — to crush
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. cue — a hint
  14. bulb — for light
  15. staff — employees
  16. rock — music
  17. current — of water
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. current — happening now
  20. rock — a stone
  21. staff — employees
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  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