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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: key · plane · fork · staff · can · lash · pitcher · cue

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  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. can — a tin
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. plane — a tool
  6. key — in music
  7. can — to be able to
  8. staff — employees
  9. key — the most important part
  10. key — for a lock
  11. fork — in a road
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. staff — employees
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. fork — to eat with
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. can — a tin
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. fork — a garden tool
  22. staff — a stick
  23. cue — a hint
  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