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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: roll · mark · cue · rest · bound · chip · key · rock

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. There's a computer ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. mark — a trace
  3. bound — obliged
  4. bound — tied together
  5. rest — a break
  6. rock — music
  7. bound — certain
  8. chip — for betting
  9. rest — what's left
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. rest — what's left
  12. cue — a signal
  13. roll — a cake
  14. key — for a lock
  15. key — the most important part
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. cue — a hint
  18. rock — a stone
  19. mark — a grade
  20. roll — a list
  21. chip — to eat
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. key — in music
  24. chip — in a computer

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