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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 120 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: chip · hide · mug · wound · bay · can · key · cue

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. mug — a cup
  3. cue — a signal
  4. chip — for betting
  5. wound — past of 'wind'
  6. key — for a lock
  7. mug — to rob
  8. wound — an injury
  9. can — a tin
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. wound — an injury
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. key — the most important part
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. cue — for pool
  17. cue — a hint
  18. can — a tin
  19. chip — to eat
  20. chip — in a computer
  21. can — to be able to
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. key — in music
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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