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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: foot · racket · net · cue · lie · can · deal · drill

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. can — a tin
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. can — to be able to
  5. drill — a practice
  6. net — for catching
  7. can — a tin
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. drill — the tool
  10. net — after costs
  11. cue — a signal
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. net — in sport
  14. cue — for pool
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. lie — to recline
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. foot — a measure
  20. drill — army training
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. cue — a hint
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. racket — a loud noise

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