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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 116 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 · cue · wax · rash · fine · bowl · bear · sharp

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. cue — a hint
  4. cue — a signal
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. cue — for pool
  7. firm — a company
  8. rash — a series
  9. bear — the animal
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. bowl — a dish
  12. firm — decided
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. fine — high quality
  17. sharp — clever
  18. bear — the animal
  19. sharp — with an edge
  20. firm — steady
  21. fine — all right
  22. rash — hasty
  23. wax — to grow
  24. wax — in the ear

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