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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: firm · fine · cue · deal · can · mark · temple · club

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  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. deal — to handle
  2. club — a group
  3. cue — a hint
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. firm — decided
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. firm — a company
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. cue — for pool
  12. firm — steady
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. mark — a grade
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. club — for golf
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. mark — a trace
  20. can — to be able to
  21. fine — all right
  22. fine — high quality
  23. club — for dancing
  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