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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
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: sharp · cue · stand · fine · suit · capital · ruler · bear

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. It's one o'clock ________________.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  15. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. bear — the animal
  3. sharp — exactly
  4. fine — all right
  5. cue — a hint
  6. suit — to fit
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. bear — the animal
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. cue — a signal
  14. capital — a big letter
  15. bear — to put up with
  16. stand — to bear
  17. cue — for pool
  18. capital — a city
  19. fine — high quality
  20. sharp — clever
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. suit — clothes
  24. capital — money

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