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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
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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: nail · plane · suit · cue · staff · mug · bowl · sharp

  1. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. It's one o'clock ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — on a finger
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. sharp — exactly
  4. cue — for pool
  5. mug — a face
  6. cue — a signal
  7. suit — to fit
  8. sharp — clever
  9. staff — a stick
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. sharp — with an edge
  12. suit — clothes
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. mug — to rob
  17. cue — a hint
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. plane — a tool
  20. staff — employees
  21. mug — a cup
  22. suit — in cards
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. staff — employees

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