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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.

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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: calf · date · cue · pop · fan · toast · bass · key

  1. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  3. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. Have you settled on a ________________?
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. We're almost out of ________________.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. date — on the calendar
  3. pop — music
  4. key — the most important part
  5. pop — to visit
  6. key — in music
  7. bass — the instrument
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. date — on the calendar
  11. cue — for pool
  12. toast — bread
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. bass — the fish
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. cue — a signal
  17. bass — low music
  18. cue — a hint
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. pop — soda
  22. key — for a lock
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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