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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.

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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: racket · key · wave · stand · face · staff · suit · mark

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. suit — clothes
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. staff — a stick
  7. key — in music
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. key — the most important part
  10. suit — to fit
  11. mark — a grade
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. key — for a lock
  15. face — to confront
  16. staff — employees
  17. face — to point toward
  18. face — part of the head
  19. wave — with your hand
  20. suit — in cards
  21. stand — to bear
  22. staff — employees
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. stand — for spectators

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