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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
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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: suit · face · fine · leaves · bay · cue · mug · bulb

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. suit — in cards
  3. mug — a cup
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. face — to point toward
  6. suit — clothes
  7. cue — a hint
  8. bulb — for light
  9. face — to confront
  10. cue — for pool
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. suit — to fit
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. fine — all right
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. cue — a signal
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. bulb — for light
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. fine — high quality
  21. face — part of the head
  22. mug — to rob
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. bay — a horse colour

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