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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: suit · cue · dip · calf · bowl · key · cap · foot

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. dip — to sink
  3. bowl — a dish
  4. cue — a signal
  5. bowl — a football final
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. cue — a hint
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. cap — of ice
  11. cap — a lid
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. key — the most important part
  14. suit — clothes
  15. suit — in cards
  16. key — in music
  17. key — for a lock
  18. cap — a hat
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. cue — for pool
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. suit — to fit
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. foot — the bottom

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