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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: leaves · cue · firm · suit · mug · ball · file · deal

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. cue — a hint
  3. file — a document
  4. file — a tool
  5. mug — a face
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. suit — clothes
  8. mug — to rob
  9. suit — to fit
  10. cue — a signal
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. firm — decided
  14. file — a line of people
  15. mug — a cup
  16. suit — in cards
  17. cue — for pool
  18. ball — a great time
  19. firm — a company
  20. deal — to handle
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. ball — a dance
  23. firm — steady
  24. deal — a big deal

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