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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: deal · lie · game · staff · firm · leaves · toast · racket

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  4. That was a fun ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. game — a kind of play
  4. game — a match
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. staff — employees
  9. toast — bread
  10. racket — a loud noise
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. firm — decided
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. firm — steady
  16. game — wild animals
  17. lie — to recline
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. staff — employees
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. firm — a company
  24. staff — a stick

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