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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: lie · ground · mate · fine · mug · cue · sharp · suit

  1. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. There's no middle ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. ground — the earth
  4. cue — a signal
  5. suit — clothes
  6. fine — high quality
  7. mate — to breed
  8. suit — in cards
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. cue — a hint
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. cue — for pool
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. ground — crushed
  15. suit — to fit
  16. sharp — clever
  17. mug — to rob
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. mate — a partner
  20. lie — to recline
  21. ground — a position
  22. mate — a friend
  23. fine — all right
  24. mug — a face

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