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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: current · racket · fine · mark · sharp · cue · club · toast

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  4. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  12. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. It's one o'clock ________________.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. cue — a hint
  3. sharp — with an edge
  4. club — for dancing
  5. fine — high quality
  6. mark — a grade
  7. fine — all right
  8. mark — a trace
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. club — a group
  12. club — for golf
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. racket — a loud noise
  15. current — electric
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. sharp — exactly
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. toast — bread
  20. current — happening now
  21. sharp — clever
  22. cue — for pool
  23. cue — a signal
  24. current — of water

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