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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: mark · cue · key · jam · lean · chip · rest · ball

  1. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. chip — for betting
  3. key — the most important part
  4. key — for a lock
  5. ball — a dance
  6. rest — what's left
  7. chip — to eat
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. cue — for pool
  11. ball — a great time
  12. lean — to rest against
  13. cue — a signal
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. mark — a grade
  17. rest — a break
  18. lean — thin
  19. mark — a trace
  20. key — in music
  21. lean — to bend
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. cue — a hint
  24. rest — what's left

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