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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 · mouse · patient · suit · stock · jam · cue · key

  1. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — calm and waiting
  2. key — the most important part
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. stock — shares
  5. cue — a signal
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. key — in music
  12. cue — for pool
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. suit — clothes
  16. key — for a lock
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. cue — a hint
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. stock — goods
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. suit — to fit
  23. suit — in cards
  24. leaves — to go away

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