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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.

Make a worksheet

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: craft · suit · safe · drill · cue · scale · file · foot

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  3. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  14. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  22. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. drill — a practice
  3. drill — army training
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. suit — to fit
  6. foot — a measure
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. file — a line of people
  9. cue — a hint
  10. drill — the tool
  11. scale — size or range
  12. scale — in music
  13. craft — a skill
  14. file — a tool
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. cue — a signal
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. suit — in cards
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. file — a document
  22. craft — boats
  23. suit — clothes
  24. craft — a handicraft

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