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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: key · field · toast · fan · ruler · sharp · plane · cue

  1. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  8. It's one o'clock ________________.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  19. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  20. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. cue — for pool
  5. key — in music
  6. cue — a signal
  7. sharp — clever
  8. sharp — exactly
  9. cue — a hint
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. key — for a lock
  12. field — a subject
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. plane — a tool
  16. toast — bread
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. field — for sport
  19. field — farmland
  20. sharp — with an edge
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. key — the most important part

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