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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: roll · cue · fork · fan · safe · hide · cap · spell

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. We're on a ________________ here.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. cap — of ice
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. cap — a lid
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. cue — a hint
  9. roll — a list
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. fork — in a road
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. cue — a signal
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. spell — a short time
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. cap — a hat
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. roll — on a roll
  22. spell — letters
  23. roll — a cake
  24. spell — magic

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