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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 120 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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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: rest · trunk · cue · suit · swing · chip · lie · saw

  1. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. David sat on the ________________.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  16. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  19. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. rest — what's left
  3. swing — music
  4. saw — the tool
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. trunk — of an elephant
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. cue — a hint
  10. swing — to play on
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. saw — the tool
  14. cue — a signal
  15. trunk — of a tree
  16. rest — a break
  17. chip — for betting
  18. rest — what's left
  19. swing — in golf
  20. suit — in cards
  21. lie — to recline
  22. cue — for pool
  23. suit — clothes
  24. suit — to fit

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